Fair Housing Center funding cut by 70%

The Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Central Ohio, a project of Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, is facing a $425,000 loss in Fair Housing Initiatives Program grant funding due to recent Department of Government Efficiency cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This represents about 70% of the funding for fair housing work LASCO receives.

“The grant provided LASCO with essential funding to investigate complaints, represent clients, conduct testing to identify discriminatory practices and educate communities about their rights under the Fair Housing Act,” said Kristen Lewis, who oversees the Fair Housing Center.

With this funding LASCO was able to identify a predatory landlord in Southern Ohio who sexually harassed female tenants for more than two decades. They helped numerous seniors receive modifications to their rental units such as ramps and shower grab bars and permission to have health care aids enter their home. They also resolved housing issues for veterans experiencing symptoms related to PTSD or other service-related disabilities.

“Federal fair housing money helps us fight unfair treatment in housing and make sure everyone in Ohio has a fair chance at a safe place to live,” said Lewis, who works in the New Philadelphia office. “Losing this money means we won’t be able to help as many renters and homebuyers, stop unfair landlords, or teach people about their housing rights.”

Nationally, a group of impacted fair housing programs filed a lawsuit Thursday in the United States District Court in Massachusetts. The suit argues DOGE did not have the authority to order HUD to cut the fair housing grants that were authorized by Congress. While LASCO is not named in the suit, the outcome in the case could mean funding would be restored to LASCO and more than 60 other fair housing groups whose grants were ended.

While it awaits the outcome of the legal case, LASCO will continue to provide fair housing services in a reduced capacity.

“We know how important this work is, especially with so many low-income renters struggling to find safe, affordable housing,” Lewis said. “Even with less funding, we will keep fighting against housing discrimination — just on a smaller scale — because everyone deserves a fair chance at a home.”