Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) provides free comprehensive fair housing counseling, complaint investigation, and assistance in filing housing discrimination complaints to homeowners and renters located in the counties of Marin, Solano, and Sonoma (with the exception of the city of Petaluma), who have experienced discrimination based on their membership in a protected class. FHANC is HUD-certified to offer pre-purchase counseling and education programs, as well as foreclosure prevention counseling and workshops.
FHANC is currently the only full service fair housing agency in Marin County and the only housing counseling agency in Marin County certified by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FHANC provides varying levels of fair housing services and mortgage foreclosure prevention services as well as advisory and training services in Marin, Sonoma (except the city of Petaluma), Solano, and other counties.
The services provided to our clients are available at no charge in both English and Spanish.
FHANC is currently the only full service fair housing agency in Marin County and the only housing counseling agency in Marin County certified by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FHANC provides varying levels of fair housing services and mortgage foreclosure prevention services as well as advisory and training services in Marin, Sonoma (except the city of Petaluma), Solano, and other counties.
The services provided to our clients are available at no charge in both English and Spanish.
FHANC Annual Report FY 23-24
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Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) delivered a robust series of educational programs over the past year.
In total, FHANC provided 38 trainings and presentations, which reached 1,982 participants, including housing providers, advocates, government staff, service providers, and community members. These programs focused on fair housing laws, pre-purchase education for homebuyers, and foreclosure prevention strategies. FHANC also distributed a substantial volume of educational materials, with 9,454 pieces of literature circulated to enhance community awareness and education regarding fair housing. Of the total of 1,317 fair housing clients assisted by FHANC last year, 90%* of clients identified as extremely low-, very low-, or low-income. In addition, 22.5%* are Latinx identifying, 14.4%* of whom speak primarily Spanish, and 31%* identified as Black/African-American. Additionally, 70 individuals received education in Spanish through a dedicated session, further expanding FHANC's outreach to diverse audiences. These events provided key insights into housing rights, strategies for professionals and more! This comprehensive educational effort reflects FHANC's commitment to empowering communities and supporting fair housing practices across Northern California. |
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FHANC Statistics: By the Numbers
Fair Housing Cases/Complaints Data Trends
Percent of “Types of Complaints” Per County (Based on federally protected classes)
Percent of “Types of Complaints” Per County (Based on federally protected classes)
Percentages of Types of Complaints for Previous Four Fiscal Years
At Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California, we have observed significant trends in discrimination complaints across various protected classes.
Disability-related complaints are by far the most prevalent, with 249 cases reported, indicating a substantial need for improved accessibility and accommodation in various settings. Race discrimination follows as the second most common issue, with 52 complaints filed. Gender and sex discrimination accounts for 18 complaints, reflecting ongoing challenges related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Among state-specific protected classes, source of income discrimination stands out with 46 complaints, highlighting potential issues in housing or employment based on an individual's financial situation. Age discrimination follows with 19 complaints, suggesting ongoing challenges for older workers or residents. The data also shows less frequent but still concerning numbers for other protected classes, including national origin (15 complaints), familial status (9 complaints), and religious discrimination (4 complaints). It's important to note that some complaints alleged discrimination on multiple grounds, indicating the complex and intersectional nature of discrimination experiences.
Through our work, we strive to address these issues and advocate for fair housing practices across all protected classes.
Disability-related complaints are by far the most prevalent, with 249 cases reported, indicating a substantial need for improved accessibility and accommodation in various settings. Race discrimination follows as the second most common issue, with 52 complaints filed. Gender and sex discrimination accounts for 18 complaints, reflecting ongoing challenges related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Among state-specific protected classes, source of income discrimination stands out with 46 complaints, highlighting potential issues in housing or employment based on an individual's financial situation. Age discrimination follows with 19 complaints, suggesting ongoing challenges for older workers or residents. The data also shows less frequent but still concerning numbers for other protected classes, including national origin (15 complaints), familial status (9 complaints), and religious discrimination (4 complaints). It's important to note that some complaints alleged discrimination on multiple grounds, indicating the complex and intersectional nature of discrimination experiences.
Through our work, we strive to address these issues and advocate for fair housing practices across all protected classes.
Percentages of Types of Complaints by County
Education Department Data and Metrics:
Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) delivered a robust series of educational programs over the past year. In total, FHANC provided 38 trainings and presentations, which reached 1,982 participants, including housing providers, advocates, government staff, service providers, and community members. These programs focused on fair housing laws, pre-purchase education for homebuyers, and foreclosure prevention strategies.
FHANC also distributed a substantial volume of educational materials, with 9,454 pieces of literature circulated to enhance community awareness and education regarding fair housing. Additionally, 70 individuals received education in Spanish through a dedicated session, further expanding FHANC's outreach to diverse audiences. These events provided key insights into housing rights, strategies for professionals and more! Beyond formal training, FHANC staff engaged with the community by attending 192 networking events, aimed at affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) and strengthening connections within the housing sector.
This comprehensive educational effort reflects FHANC's commitment to empowering communities and supporting fair housing practices across Northern California. Of the total of 1,317 fair housing clients assisted by FHANC last year, 90%* of clients identified as extremely low-, very low-, or low-income. In addition, 22.5%* are Latinx identifying, 14.4%* of whom speak primarily Spanish, and 31%* identified as Black/African-American.
Racial Discrimination and Criminal Record Audit
Race discrimination, which is discrimination on the basis of a person’s race, is still a reality for many Black people. Although there has been legislative progress, the problem still exists and is compounded where there is an intersection of race and criminal histories that creates barriers to securing stable housing.
FHANC conducted an audit to assess the extent to which housing providers are discriminating against Black tenants with criminal convictions. Of the 30 investigations conducted (120 test parts), 46.7% revealed at least some evidence of differential treatment based on race, with 16.7% showing clear evidence of discrimination and 30% showing some/ potential evidence of discrimination. 25 investigations revealed evidence of a criminal background screening policy that had a disparate impact on Black applicants, with 50% showing clear evidence of discrimination and 33.3% showing some or potential evidence of discrimination.
FHANC conducted an audit to assess the extent to which housing providers are discriminating against Black tenants with criminal convictions. Of the 30 investigations conducted (120 test parts), 46.7% revealed at least some evidence of differential treatment based on race, with 16.7% showing clear evidence of discrimination and 30% showing some/ potential evidence of discrimination. 25 investigations revealed evidence of a criminal background screening policy that had a disparate impact on Black applicants, with 50% showing clear evidence of discrimination and 33.3% showing some or potential evidence of discrimination.
Housing providers in Solano County were revealed to be the most discriminatory, with 50% treating Black testers less favorably than white testers and 90% having criminal background screening policies that disproportionately exclude Black applicants. In Sonoma County, 50% of the tests revealed some discrimination and and 80% revealed evidence of disparate impact. Housing providers in Marin County were the least discriminatory, with 40% of tests revealing evidence of differential treatment and 80% revealing evidence of disparate impact, yet the rate of discrimination was similarly and alarmingly high in all three counties.
FHANC Success Stories & Testimonials
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In October of 2023, FHANC received a call from a hardworking, single mom of two based in Richmond, CA. This client had only been a homeowner for one year, but things had not been easy. First, her finances were impacted by COVID and then credit card interest rates began to soar, leaving her with daunting credit card debt. Since her income was strong and her approach to credit card debt yielded positive results, FHANC decided to seek funding from the California Mortgage Relief program to pay off her mortgage delinquency. In March 2024, our client’s mortgage was brought current, and she was able to resume her mortgage payments.
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In July of 2023, FHANC received a call from a disabled single mom based in San Rafael, CA. She had received an excellent mortgage modification in 2021, lowering her interest rate to 3.125% and putting over $100,000 in a non-interest-bearing partial claim. Although her economic situation showed signs of improvement, her monthly payment remained unaffordable. The client did not want to change the terms of her loan. FHANC’s first step was to get the client into a forbearance. Although her forbearance did not expire until July of 2024, the California Mortgage Relief Program (CMRP) was closing down in April of 2024. Since she needed both reinstatement of the loan and to pay off a portion of her partial claim (giving her more equity), we submitted the CMRP application on February 26. By mid-May, her mortgage had been brought current. The CMRP then paid off another $59,500 of the partial claim, providing the award limit amount of $80,000 to the client.
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