WHEDA Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

Protected Classes Under Fair Housing Laws

Federal Fair Housing Act

• Race
• Color
• National Origin
• Religion
• Sex (including sexual orientation & gender identity)
• Familial Status (families with children under 18)
• Disability

Wisconsin Open Housing Law

• Age
• Marital Status
• Lawful Source of Income (including Housing Choice Vouchers)
• Sexual Orientation
• Status as a Victim of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault, or Stalking
• Ancestry

Examples of Housing Discrimination

Voucher Discrimination
Refusing to rent to you because you use a Housing Choice Voucher is illegal in Wisconsin.

Unequal Terms
Setting different rents, deposits, or rules based on a protected class is discrimination.

Misleading Information
Giving misleading or inconsistent information to discourage renting is illegal.

Delays & Stalling
Delaying applications or inspections to avoid renting to voucher holders is discrimination.

Accommodation Refusal
Refusing reasonable accommodations for disabilities violates fair housing laws.

Discriminatory Statements
Making discriminatory statements in person, ads, or messages is illegal.

Family Steering
Steering families with children away from certain units or buildings is discrimination.

Refusal to Negotiate
Refusing to negotiate or make exceptions for voucher holders when doing so for others is illegal.

Unequal Screening
Imposing different screening criteria based on protected characteristics is discrimination.

Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications

Landlords must provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

Reasonable Accommodations

• Extra time to submit paperwork
• Flexible scheduling for inspections
• Alternative communication formats
• Approval for a live-in aide
• Exception to pet policies for service/assistance animals
• Assigned accessible parking space

Reasonable Modifications

• Installing grab bars in bathrooms
• Widening doorways for wheelchair access
• Installing ramps
• Lowering countertops or cabinets
• Adding visual alert systems

How to File a Fair Housing Complaint

Wisconsin Equal Rights Division (ERD)

Phone: 608-266-6860
Website: dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/civilrights/housing
File a Complaint Online
Deadline: Within 1 year of the discriminatory act

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Phone: 800-669-9777 (Toll-Free)
TTY: 800-927-9275
Website: hud.gov/fairhousing
File a HUD Complaint
Deadline: Within 1 year of the discriminatory act

Legal Action of Wisconsin

Phone: 414-278-7722
Website: legalaction.org
Services: Free legal assistance for low-income individuals facing housing discrimination

Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison

Phone: 608-469-0900
Website: fairhousingmadison.com
Services: Education, advocacy, and complaint assistance for Dane County residents

Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council

Phone: 414-278-1240
Website: fairhousingwisconsin.com
Services: Fair housing education and enforcement for the Milwaukee area

Additional Resources

Wisconsin State Bar

Phone: (608) 257-3838
Lawyer referral service for legal assistance

Wisconsin Housing Alliance

Advocacy and housing resources statewide
Visit Website

Tenant Resource Center

Phone: (608) 257-0006
Tenant rights information and counseling