The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio has asked housing advocacy groups to report any conduct involving sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker or anyone with control over housing.
The request followed reports sent to Attorney General William Barr regarding landlords who have responded to requests to defer payments amid the COVID-19 pandemic with demands for sexual favors and other sexual conduct.
The U.S. Attorney General said those actions are illegal under the Fair Housing Act as sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the act.
Anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing or knows someone who has is asked to contact the Civil Rights Division at 1-844-380-6178 or by emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
Victims of discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio at 216-622-3932 or by emailing USAOHNCivilRights@usdoj.gov.
Complaints alleging harassment or discrimination in housing can be filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development by calling 1-800-669-9777.
