Housing discrimination takes many forms, some more subtle than others. A real estate agent may show you apartments in one neighborhood and not another. A landlord may refuse to rent to you because you are black or Latino. Or, a landlord may refuse to rent to you because you have a Section 8 voucher, or because you have a child and the apartment for rent has lead paint. A manager of a building may make rude and suggestive sexual remarks. A landlord may make up some reason to evict you, while the real reason is because you are gay.
If you feel that you have been discriminated against by a real estate agent, a landlord, or a landlord's employee, it is important to act quickly. There are steps that you can take and organizations that may be able to help you. This chapter will tell you what discrimination is illegal and how you can protect your rights.