701-203-1077
[email protected]
Submit a Housing Concern
High Plains Fair Housing Center | Grand Forks, North Dakota
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Work >
      • Our Work
      • Advocacy
      • Education
      • Enforcement
    • Job & Volunteer Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Brochures
    • Fair Housing Fact Sheets
    • Fair Housing Videos
    • HUD/DOJ Statements on the Law
    • HUD Emotional Support Animal Guidance Flowcharts
    • Landlord Tenant Law
    • Sample Reasonable Accommodation Form
    • Sexual Harassment in Housing
    • Other Resources
  • Events
  • Press
    • $100,000 Settlement in Housing Discrimination Case
    • HPFHC Assists Client in Disability Housing Discrimination
    • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Donate
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Work >
      • Our Work
      • Advocacy
      • Education
      • Enforcement
    • Job & Volunteer Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Brochures
    • Fair Housing Fact Sheets
    • Fair Housing Videos
    • HUD/DOJ Statements on the Law
    • HUD Emotional Support Animal Guidance Flowcharts
    • Landlord Tenant Law
    • Sample Reasonable Accommodation Form
    • Sexual Harassment in Housing
    • Other Resources
  • Events
  • Press
    • $100,000 Settlement in Housing Discrimination Case
    • HPFHC Assists Client in Disability Housing Discrimination
    • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Donate

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HOUSING

Picture

WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HOUSING?

Sexual harassment in housing is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. Sex discrimination is also prohibited by other federal laws, such as Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972. There are two main types of sexual harassment: (1) quid pro quo sexual harassment; and (2) hostile environment sexual harassment.

Quid Pro Quo
Quid pro quo harassment occurs when a housing provider requires a person to submit to an unwelcome request to engage in sexual conduct as a condition of obtaining or maintaining housing or housing-related services. For example:
  • A landlord tells an applicant he won’t rent her an apartment unless she has sex with him.
  • A property manager evicts a tenant after she refuses to perform sexual acts.
  • A maintenance man refuses to make repairs unless a tenant gives him nude photos of herself.

Hostile Environment
Hostile environment harassment occurs when a housing provider subjects a person to severe or pervasive unwelcome sexual conduct that interferes with the sale, rental, availability, or terms, conditions, or privileges of housing or housing-related services, including financing. For example:
  • A landlord subjects a tenant to severe or pervasive unwelcome touching, kissing, or groping.
  • A property manager makes severe or pervasive unwelcome, lewd comments about a tenant’s body.
  • A maintenance man sends a tenant severe or pervasive unwelcome, sexually suggestive texts and enters her apartment without invitation or permission.

What Can I Do If I Am Being Sexually Harassed in My Housing Environment?
If you are being sexually harassed, you can file a complaint with with us or HUD. If you would be safe doing so, you can tell the harasser to stop. You can also make a complaint to your housing provider, if different from the harasser. When you file your complaint with HUD, you should tell them the name of the person harassing you, when and where it happened, and the names of any witnesses or other individuals who have been or are being harassed.

Additional Resources: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/sexual_harassment
​
​

 TOOLKIT

Picture
"Sexual Harassment in Housing: A Toolkit for Taking Action"
Click to Download

RESOURCES

CONTACT

High Plains Fair Housing Center
3880 S Columbia Road
​Grand Forks, ND 58201

​

Mailing: PO Box 5222, ​Grand Forks ND 58206
Email: [email protected]​

​Relay ND: 800-366-6888; 711:TTY
Fax: 701-757-0275
Intake Line: 701-203-1077 
​Toll-Free: 1-866-380-2738

OUR MISSION

High Plains Fair Housing Center assists people who believe they have experienced discrimination while attempting to rent or purchase housing, provides community education to promote fair housing, and conducts preliminary investigations of potential housing discrimination.

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication.  Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government and are expected to be made consistent with applicable federal laws, regulations, and Executive Orders of the President of the United States.
​
Submit a Housing Concern
Picture