Fair Housing for Renters and Homebuyers

What is Fair Housing?

Fair Housing laws protect you against housing discrimination. In Washington State, you have the right to equal housing opportunity and may not be discriminated against because of any of the following:

  • Race
  • Color
  • National Origin or Ancestry
  • Family with Children
  • Religion
  • Sex (Gender)
  • Disability
  • Marital Status
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Gender Identity
  • Veteran or Military

The list of protected classes above is current as of April 2016; however, this list is subject to change. Please check with one of the agencies listed below for the most current list.

Volunteers of America Western Washington’s Dispute Resolution Center

Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOA) is a local non-profit agency; the VOA’s Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) provides fair housing education and counseling services in Snohomish County.

The DRC conducts fair housing trainings and provides one-on-one fair housing counseling services. All services and workshops are free. View a list of upcoming trainings.

For additional information on fair housing laws, including your rights and remedies and what to do if you feel you have been discriminated against, call: 425-339-1335 or visit the VOA’s Fair Housing webpage.

Snohomish County and the DRC do not investigate fair housing complaints. To file a formal fair housing complaint, contact: 

U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
 File a complaint online
206.220.5170 (800.877.0246)
TTY 206.220.5185

Washington State Human Rights Commission
File a complaint online
360.753.6770 (800.233.3247)
TTY 800.300.7525

This information on this web site is provided for information purposes only and is not to be considered as legal advice or legal interpretation.