Fair Housing

Fair Housing 

"Fair housing" means that all residents are entitled to equal access to housing opportunities regardless of race or color, religion, sex or gender, national origin, disability, familial status (having children), marital status, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income (including public assistance), or any other category protected by California or federal law.

Some possible signs of housing discrimination include:

  • The owner or manager quotes a higher rent or deposit than what is advertised
  • The owner or manager says the unit is already rented, but the ad or sign is still posted
  • The owner or manager denies a request for a documented emotional support animal, or another reasonable, disability-related accommodation
  • The owner or manager says... 
    • "You probably won't like it here."
    • "We don't take Section 8."
    • "This unit is not accessible for people with disabilities."
    • "This is a quiet area with nowhere for your children to play."

To report housing discrimination or learn more about fair housing, contact the Housing Rights Center (HRC).

Housing Rights Center (HRC)

The Housing Rights Center (HRC) is a non-profit organization that is contracted with the City of Ventura to provide free, fair housing services. HRC's mission is to actively support and promote fair housing through education, advocacy, and litigation to the ensure that all persons have the opportunity to secure the housing they desire and can afford, without regard to personal characteristics protected by law.

HRC’s free services for tenants and landlords include: 

  • Housing counseling – legal information on landlord-tenant issues
  • Discrimination investigation and advocacy
  • Outreach and education

Contact HRC at 1-800-477-5977 (toll-free) or email Housing Right Center, and find more information and resources on their website. 

HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)

The mission of the Office of FHEO is to create equal housing opportunities for all persons living in America by administering laws that prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status.

Affordable Housing Programs

The City of Ventura provides funding for various programs related to affordable housing, including a rental and ownership affordable housing program, housing preservation loans, mobile home rehabilitation grants, and fair housing services. The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura, an agency separate from the City of Ventura, administers all of the city's affordable housing programs.

For information regarding the city's Affordable Housing programs, please visit the Housing Authority's website, or contact them directly at:

Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura

995 Riverside Street

Ventura, CA 93001

Phone: 805-648-5008