FHANC offers fair housing counseling services to homeowners and renters located in the counties of Marin and Sonoma (with the exception of the city of Petaluma), as well as the cities of Fairfield and Vallejo, who have experienced discrimination based on their membership in a protected class. We also offer Foreclosure Prevention and Pre-Purchase Education/Counseling services to homeowners in the Bay Area.
FHANC Statistics: Fiscal Year 2021-2022
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Between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, FHANC provided counseling or education to 4,843 tenants, homeowners, homebuyers, housing providers, children, social service providers, and advocates across Marin, Sonoma, and Solano counties and beyond.
Of the fair housing clients assisted by FHANC last year, 95% of clients are extremely low-, very low-, or low-income. In addition, 28% are Latinx, 27% of whom speak primarily Spanish, and 25% are Black/African-American. FHANC transitioned to remote work in March 2020 and continues to serve clients virtually. Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California remains open and connected to the community to provide referrals, resources, and advocacy for those who have been impacted by the pandemic. |
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Percentages of Complaint Types by County
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By The Numbers
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Federal Protections:
State Protections:
Please note that some complaints alleged discrimination on the basis of multiple protected classes. |
Percentages of Complaint Types for Previous Three Fiscal Years
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FHANC Success Stories & Testimonials
What Our Clients Say:
"I'm shaking and crying at the same time. Do I need to do anything? You really are a blessing."
"We both need to try and relax and savor the good news. You now have a clear approval and everything is happening as planned. I will check in with your lender again next Wednesday."
- (Text message exchange between a FHANC client and her foreclosure prevention counselor after
receiving an approval for full reinstatement of her mortgage)
“Thank your the checks and balances, for your professionalism, and for the chance to make things right.”
- (Foreclosure prevention client - Sausalito, CA)
"Thank you for creating a space where people can get help in housing if they need it."
"Thank you for teaching us about the struggles faced by those who need low income housing."
- (Comments from San Rafael High School students after a fair housing presentation put on by FHANC
and San Rafael High School teachers.)
Client Stories
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FHANC’s bilingual Foreclosure Prevention Counselor helped hundreds of homeowners, in English and Spanish, escorting them through the appropriate exit options during one-on-one counseling sessions and in workshops. In January of 2022, the much-awaited California Mortgage Relief Program (CMRP) began accepting applications and this became an important tool for preserving homeownership. FHANC's first CMRP success involved a low-income Spanish-speaking senior in Windsor. She had worked as a care giver prior to the pandemic, but her physician advised she stop working due to her own health concerns. She went into a COVID forbearance, and, once the forbearance ended, attempted to modify her loan. The client was denied a modification due to insufficient income, at which point FHANC quickly prepared the client for the CMRP application process. The client did not have access to technology, so FHANC garnered assistance from Corazon Healdsburg to prepare the documents for the application. Because CMRP would bring the client current but not change her monthly payment, FHANC discussed housing sustainability options, and the client was ultimately able to increase her income by renting rooms in her house. In March of 2022, the client was fully reinstated and had a comfortable housing ratio. |
FHANC has many clients with disabilities that limit their ability to work with lenders and/or execute work out options. Such was the case with a Santa Rosa homeowner who is legally blind. FHANC's client had been hospitalized during the pandemic and fell behind with her mortgage. However, once again, the question of housing sustainability reared its ugly head. Her original mortgage payment had been affordable because it did not include escrow. Once she fell behind, that changed, and escrow was added to her monthly payment. FHANC was able to assist the client with a California Mortgage Relief Program application and the client was reinstated on August 26. Her next payment was not due until October 1, which was optimal in timing as applications for property tax deferment opened on that same day. |
