The Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”) protects applicants, tenants, and program participants in certain HUD programs from being evicted, denied housing assistance, or terminated from housing assistance based on acts of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking against them. Despite the name of this law, VAWA protection is available to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the Federal agency that oversees that Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority (Lake MHA) is in compliance with VAWA. We have made available the following notices and forms regarding VAWA rights and responsibilities:
HUD 5380 – Notice of Occupancy Rights Under VAWA
Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority (Lake MHA) is committed to affirmatively furthering fair housing in partnership with the Fair Housing Resource Center. It is the goal of Lake MHA to afford residents with an enhanced quality of life through the development of opportunities in housing, employment, education, and services by the implementation of plans that assure all people are afforded their rights thus fostering open inclusive communities.
Federal laws require housing authorities to treat all applicants and tenant families equally, providing the same quality of service, regardless of family characteristics and background. Federal law prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, familial status, and disability. HUD regulations provide for additional protections regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status. Additionally, Lake MHA will not discriminate on the basis of ancestry (the family’s place of origin) or military status (status as a veteran or active service military member).
You may contact the Fair Housing Resource Center for more information regarding Fair Housing, Landlord/Tenant Rights, Foreclosure Prevention and any other housing concern at 440-392-0147 or http://www.fhrc.org.