Fair Housing

The Lawrence Human Relations Commission and Human Relations Division is a civil rights enforcement agency. It investigates complaints from persons alleging they have been discriminated against in housing because of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity, in addition to familial status in housing. On June 1, 2023 additional protections to include source of income and immigration status will go into effect, pursuant to Ordinance No. 9960. Click here for more information. 

Chapter X, Article 1 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas as amended, authorizes the agency to receive, investigate, decide, and attempt to conciliate a complaint or complaints alleging discrimination, segregation, or separation in housing inside the city limits and to hold public hearings.

 

Filing a Housing Complaint:

Any person who wishes to file a housing discrimination complaint must come in person to the Human Relations Division at One Riverfront Plaza, or call the Human Relations Division at (785) 832-3310. You may also complete a Housing Discrimination Intake form online.

When to File:

There is one-year filing period for housing discrimination complaints. Persons are advised to file, immediately when an incident occurs. All parties can be more clearly represented with information that is recent and current.

Investigation –
Impartial and Confidential

The role of the investigator is to gather all the facts in an objective, impartial, and confidential manner. Our fairness can assure all parties of reasonable and equal treatment during the handling of housing discrimination complaints. The City of Lawrence Human Relations Division is a substantially equivalent agency with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.