Fair Housing

In California, fair housing is a fundamental right protected under both state and federal laws. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which prohibits discrimination in housing. This commitment to fair housing echoes at the local level in Desert Hot Springs, where the city collaborates with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County (FHCRC) to ensure residents have access to housing free from discrimination. The FHCRC offers services such as complaint intake, investigation, enforcement, landlord/tenant dispute mediation, and general fair housing education and outreach. For more information on Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, you may visit their website.

Fair Housing Council of Riverside County

Pre-Purchasing Consulting

FHCRC provides the required counseling for the pre-purchase consulting program for home buyers.

Credit Counseling

FHCRC provides assistance in:
• Building your Credit
• Reviewing Credit Reports
• Improving Credit Scores
• Getting out of debt strategies
• Dealing with Charge-offs
• Judgments
• Budgeting and Planning Tools
• How to deal with Student Loan Debt

Foreclosure Prevention/Loan modification Services

Foreclosure Prevention Services:

The Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. (FHCRC) provides foreclosure prevention services to the public, free of charge. Individuals who would like to schedule an appointment with a Foreclosure Prevention Counselor should contact FHCRC at:

Loan Modification Services:

The Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. (FHCRC) provides assistance to individuals who are seeking a loan modification. Individuals who would like to schedule an appointment for assistance with a loan modification should contact a counselor at:

For more information or to schedule an appointment from any of the above assistance resources, please contact (951) 682-6581 or email: fhcrc@fairhousing.net

Know your rights and responsibilities:

Federal: U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a Federal Department whose mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD's overarching goal is focusing on people and their lived experiences, with policy and programs that are equity-focused, anti-discriminatory, and that advance housing justice, so that everyone has an affordable, healthy place to live.

To learn more, you may visit the link: HUD - Office of Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity

State: California Housing and Community Development (HCD)

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is a State Department whose mission is to promote safe, affordable homes and vibrant, inclusive, sustainable communities for all Californians. HCD programs and policies are responsible for:

  • Increasing the supply of affordable places to live in California
  • Preserving affordable homes and protecting public investment
  • Protecting mobile home and manufactured homeowners
  • Guarding health and safety of all Californians through building standards and code adoption
  • Ensuring California plans for a range of housing that meets the varied needs of all Californians
  • Creating effective solutions to the housing crisis through policy and research

To learn more, you may visit the link: Housing and Community Development

State: California Civil Rights Department

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate against or harass someone because of a protected characteristic, such as their gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. The law also requires reasonable accommodations for disabilities and prohibits retaliation against someone for exercising their rights. The law applies to landlords, tenant screening companies, property management companies, real estate agents, home sellers, builders, mortgage lenders, housing authorities, and others. The law applies to all aspects of housing and housing-related services, such as renting, leasing, sales, new construction, mortgage lending, insurance, municipal services, shelters, advertising, and restrictive covenants. Additionally, it is unlawful for cities, counties, or any local government agency to make zoning, land-use decisions, or policies that discriminate based on a protected characteristic.

To learn more, you may visit the link: California Civil Rights Department - Housing Discrimination

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