The City of Lancaster recognizes how important it is for both landlords and tenants to be informed about housing rights and responsibilities. That is why the City sponsors a monthly FREE Housing Rights Walk-In Clinic conducted by the Housing Rights Center. Residents and community members are invited to attend the clinic to receive information or have their housing questions answered.

These questions may include inquiries regarding Fair Housing concerns. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the “Fair Housing Act,” protects against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability in all housing related transactions. In California, residents are entitled to the additional protections of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation and source of income. California residents are also protected by the Unruh Civil Rights Act which discrimination based on age and protects the right to freedom from violence and intimidation in housing.

The free Walk-In Clinics are available every 3rd Thursday of the month. The next workshop is scheduled for July 17th from 9 AM to 12 PM at Lancaster City Hall, 44933 North Fern Avenue. The clinics give residents the opportunity to receive one-on-one counseling on landlord/tenant issues.

Please contact the Housing Rights Center at (800) 477-5977 for more information.