HOUSING DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS

Following is a profile of housing discrimination complaints filed with the Orange County Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) during fiscal years 1985 through 1989.

The first item is a list of acts committed by landlords and realtors that tenants and potential buyers felt were arbitrary and based solely on illegal and discriminatory reasons.

The second chart tells how many complaints fell into each classification of discrimination.

The third item details how some of the cases were resolved and the last shows how Orange County stacks up against the four surrounding counties.

Category Number Unfair eviction 84 Refusal to rent 83 Unequal terms 22 Rent increase 16 Harassment 15 Unequal occupancy standards 8 Refusal to sell 7 Refusal to show 7 Loan witheld 2 Unequal access to facilities 2 Other 19 TOTAL 265

Category Number Race/ancestry 115 Children 90 Marital status 19 Sex 13 Physical handicap 6 Age 6 Association 5 Retaliation 4 Religion 1 Other 6 TOTAL 265

Category Number Settlement negotiated 99 Insufficient evidence 82 Private resolution 21 Complaint withdrawn 8 Other 29 TOTAL* 239

Category Number Los Angeles 710 Orange County 265 San Diego 258 San Bernardino 173 Riverside 109

*Some cases filed in 1989 were not resolved before end of fiscal year.

FILING, RESOLVING HOUSING COMPLAINTS

Where to file a housing discrimination complaint:

Department of Fair Employment and Housing 28 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 538 Santa Ana, 92701 (714) 558-4159 Agencies that assist in resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants: Fair Housing Council 1440 E. 1st St., Suite 406 Santa Ana, 92701 (714) 835-8718 Legal Aid Society (low income requirement) 902 N. Main St. Santa Ana, 92701 (714) 835-8806 Orange County Human Relations Commission 1300 S. Grand Avenue Building B Santa Ana 92705 (714) 567-7470 Source: Department of Fair Employment & Housing and individual organizations