Members of our Client Services staff assist people who believe they may be victims of illegal housing discrimination. HOME helps them gather evidence to support a claim of illegal discrimination and discuss enforcement options. These options could include problem-solving or mediation by HOME personnel, filing of an administrative complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or legal action through a referral to a cooperating attorney.
Housing discrimination can occur in any transaction whether renting or buying a home, negotiating with a lender, or shopping for insurance. Discrimination is not just about race or color. It also is illegal to discriminate in housing based on religion, national origin, gender, disability or because children are members of the household. For a summary of Fair Housing protections, click here.
HOME’s Client Services are free of charge. If you have questions or concerns, call us at 513-721-4663 to discuss your situation.
Spanish Language Assistance
Our bilingual staff not only works directly with Hispanic clients in providing programming and services, but also with landlords who need assistance in communicating with their Hispanic tenants. Our staff helps tenants and landlords resolve problems caused by language barriers and cultural differences.
Tenant Advocacy
HOME works with those who are experiencing difficulty maintaining their rental housing for reasons ranging from tenant/landlord issues to lack of resources. Our staff will offer objective advice for tenants facing housing concerns or eviction.
Mediation Services
HOME co-sponsors Housing Mediation Services, a source of free, professional mediation in the Greater Cincinnati area for landlords, tenants or neighbors. To request such mediation, call 513-751-7567 or visit www.housingmediation.org. Co-sponsors for Housing Mediation Services are HOME, the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Apartment Association, and the Real Estate Investors Association of Greater Cincinnati.
Mobility Program
The staff of HOME’s Mobility program offers free help to those who have government housing vouchers who want to move to middle-income neighborhoods that are safe and near good schools and jobs. This program also assists landlords in finding qualified tenants for properties in these middle-income areas.
Foreclosure Prevention
The Foreclosure Prevention Program assists homeowners in Hamilton County, Ohio, in avoiding foreclosure and predatory lending. This program is staffed by individuals experienced in mortgage lending who provide negotiation services with lenders, objective advice on refinancing, and information about possible government emergency mortgage assistance funding. HOME foreclosure prevention services are free of charge. For assistance, contact Bill Hanks at 513-721-4663, ext. 3111, or send him an email at bill.hanks@homecincy.org.
Education and Outreach
Our courses for real estate agents qualify for Continuing Education Unit credits and include specialized courses on Steering and Accessibility as well as general Fair Housing courses for new and experienced agents. HOME offers these courses through local Boards of Realtors and in-house at real estate companies.
Professional training courses also are offered onsite for all employees (leasing agents, managers and maintenance staff) of large property management companies. Classes for small real estate investors are available through groups such as the Real Estate Investors Association and through housing authorities for Section 8 landlords. HOME also provides Fair Housing training for public housing employees and for national military housing providers.
Occasionally, Fair Housing training sessions are offered free to the public. For details, click here. To arrange Fair Housing training classes customized for your needs, contact Deb Jetter, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at 513-721-4663, ext. 3104, or send her an email at deb.jetter@homecincy.org.
Consumer education and outreach regarding the housing rights of individuals is available free of charge to civic, community, school and church organizations. Personnel from HOME also speak at staff meetings of social service and mental health agencies as well as with their clients.
To schedule a consumer education and outreach presentation for your staff meeting, civic association, church, school or other community group, contact Myra Calder at 513-721-4663, ext. 3105, or send her an email at myra.calder@homecincy.org.