High Plains Fair Housing Center works to end housing discrimination and ensure equal access to housing through our advocacy and enforcement programs. We can assist clients with a formal complaint or through mediation. We use testing evidence to assist in client cases and in our own organizational complaints to discover systemic discrimination in housing. Our testing evidence is used in organizational complaints with the goal to end systemic discriminatory policies and practices.
Funds HPFHC receives from conciliated cases are used to educate people across North Dakota about their fair housing rights, assist clients with their cases, and end discrimination in housing. Where you live matters. Your access to and enjoyment of housing should not be based on your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability status, because you have children, because of your age (over 40), your marital status, or because you receive public assistance.
CASE MEDIATION STORIES
HPFHC Case NO 18-813: HPFHC was contacted by a tenant living in Bismarck after a landlord said they were not allowed to have grandchildren stay in their apartment. Testing evidence showed that the property discriminated against and refused to rent to families with children. HPFHC wrote a letter to the landlord explaining familial status responsibilities under Fair Housing Act and the tenant was allowed to have their grandchildren visit and stay with them.
HPFHC Case NO 18-708: HPFHC was contacted by a tenant living in Grand Forks who uses a wheelchair due to leg amputation. The client requested replacement of the high-pile carpet to a lower profile flooring, to replace the stove with one that has knobs in the front, and to have the rods in the closet moved to a lower position. The resident management granted the tenant's request, but told the tenant it would be at their cost ($3,000 - $5,000). HPFHC investigated and found the property was built with federal dollars (HOME funds) and advocated for the tenant with the management for the reasonable modifications. They were approved and paid for by management as required because they received federal funds.
HPFHC Case NO 18-722: HPFHC assisted a Fargo resident with requesting a reasonable accommodation for their rent to be paid after the due date (the 1st). The client's disability was such that employment was not feasible and SSDI was the only source of income. With HPFHC advocacy, the client was allowed to pay their rent on the on the 3rd when their SSDI check was deposited electronically without incurring a late fee.
HPFHC Case No. 18-787: A Fargo woman contacted HPFHC with allegations of delayed response to maintenance, because she is Muslim and wears a head covering. The tenant had to ask multiple times with no response to stove not working and not receiving keys to her garage. HPFHC was able to advocate with her landlord to resolve her issues in a timely manner.
