Everyone deserves a fair chance to find safe, affordable housing without fear of discrimination. Unfortunately, many renters and homebuyers in Southern Missouri still run into issues. Whether you’ve suffered from unfair lending practices, landlords denying housing based on protected characteristics, or other illegal practices, a housing discrimination attorney can help protect your rights.
Privette Law Office fights for fair housing practices throughout Southern Missouri and the Springfield metro area. If you’ve experienced housing discrimination, we can help hold landlords, lenders, and real estate professionals accountable. Call us today for a consultation and find out how we can help you get justice.
What Is Housing Discrimination?
Housing discrimination occurs when an entity discriminates against someone for certain characteristics, such as their race or sex. There are local, state, and federal laws to protect people from this kind of discrimination.
At the federal level, the Fair Housing Act (FHA( prohibits discrimination due to:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
- Disability
- Familial status
At the state level, the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) adds additional protected classes, including age, ancestry, and sexual orientation. All Missouri rental agreements, home purchases, and lending practices must comply with both the FHA and MHRA.
Finally, the City of Springfield also protects a person’s ancestry and creed (a system of moral beliefs—not necessarily a religion).
Common Forms of Housing Discrimination in Missouri
Discrimination in housing can take different forms. It’s not always obvious when your rights are violated, but a housing discrimination attorney from Privette Law Office can review your claim and explain your legal options.
Below are some of the most common types of housing discrimination that individuals in Missouri may encounter.
Steering
Steering is when real estate agents or landlords direct tenants and buyers to specific neighborhoods based on discriminatory motives. For example, real estate agents might avoid showing homes in certain neighborhoods to clients of specific ethnicities. Similarly, a landlord might try to segregate tenants by grouping them in different apartment complexes.
Steering is a type of segregation, and can affect your ability to access better school districts and local amenities. It can also make it more difficult to live near your job or other desirable locations.
Predatory Lending Practices
Most people need loans to purchase a home. Predatory lending practices target specific people based on protected characteristics and offer them unfair loan terms. These unfair practices include hidden fees, balloon payments, and excessive interest rates. Victims might find it difficult to qualify for loans. Even if they do qualify, the unfair terms can make it impossible to meet those terms, resulting in eviction or foreclosure.
The MHRA protects borrowers from unfair treatment, but predatory lending practices still happen in communities across Southern Missouri.
Discriminatory Advertising
If rental or real estate ads include imagery or language that discourages certain groups from applying for housing, that could be discriminatory advertising. For example, you can’t prohibit families with children from moving in or discriminate against an entire gender.
Filing a Housing Discrimination Complaint in Missouri
If you’ve experienced housing discrimination, help is available. The Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) investigates housing discrimination complaints. While the process can be complicated, the housing discrimination attorneys at Privette Law Office can gather the necessary documents, file a complaint, comply with the investigation, and handle mediation or an administrative hearing.
If your complaint is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for damages, injunctive relief, and/or attorney’s fees.
Here’s how the process works:
- Complaint: First, you must file your complaint within one year of the discriminatory incident. This can be done online, by mail, or in person. You’ll need information, including the date, who was involved, and any supporting documentation or evidence you may have.
- Investigation: The MCHR will notify the accused (the respondent, such as a landlord or lender) and begin their investigation. During this process, they will review and collect evidence and interview witnesses.
- Resolution: If the MCHR finds evidence of discrimination, they may try to resolve the issue through mediation. If you refuse mediation, the case could proceed to a formal hearing in front of an administrative judge. The judge will review the evidence and decide the outcome.
Negotiated settlements can provide quicker resolutions, but formal hearings may be necessary in more complex cases. Either option aims to ensure justice and hold violators accountable.
In addition to filing with the MCHR, you may have federal remedies. If your complaint fails under the FHA, you can file with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The process is similar to Missouri’s state-level process.
It’s important to act quickly after you experience housing discrimination. An experienced housing discrimination attorney can guide you through the process and help you present a compelling case.
What to Do When You’ve Experienced Housing Discrimination
Housing discrimination is often a confusing and upsetting experience. Following these steps can help you preserve evidence and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
First, document any discriminatory incidents. Save any communications, advertisements, or paperwork from the responsible parties. Write down the date, time, and what happened.
Next, report the incident to the MCHR, HUD, and a qualified housing discrimination lawyer at Privette Law Office. Our firm can review your claim and guide you through the filing, investigation, and resolution process. Although you may file without legal assistance, our firm can help build your case and maximize your potential remedies.
Talk to a Southern Missouri Housing Discrimination Lawyer Today
Everyone deserves safe and affordable housing, but housing discrimination can significantly impact your life. If you believe that you’ve experienced housing discrimination, keep all documentation and contact Privette Law Office. We have nearly 40 years of experience protecting Missourians’ civil rights, and we’re ready to step in to help you.
Remember, fighting housing discrimination safeguards your rights—but it can also help others who may have suffered the same experience. When you work with us, our attorneys will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and help you through the process. Don’t face housing discrimination alone. Call Privette Law Office today for a consultation.