activities · 5
what they do
direct service · 2
- Investigating housing discrimination complaintsInvestigates allegations of housing discrimination, including through national testing projects, and provides support to individuals facing housing discrimination in Arizona.
- Providing fair housing education and outreach Know Your Rights EducationOffers free classes and community outreach to educate Arizonans, including tenants, housing providers, and industry professionals, about fair housing rights and responsibilities, both in-person and virtually.
advocacy · 3
- Advocating for fair housing and enforcing anti-discrimination laws Advocacy for Housing Access & EquityAdvocates for and facilitates the enforcement of Federal and State Fair Housing Acts and non-discriminatory ordinances, including representing individuals in administrative proceedings and securing settlements that mandate fair housing training and policy updates for housing providers.
- Advocating for fair housing rights and enforcement Advocacy for Housing Access & EquityAdvocates for individuals affected by housing discrimination, represents them in administrative proceedings, and works to enforce Federal and State Fair Housing Acts and non-discriminatory ordinances, contributing to settlements that include mandatory fair housing training and policy updates.
- Protecting sources of income under fair housing laws Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Affordable HousingContributes to the protection of various sources of income under local fair housing laws in Arizona cities like Tucson, Phoenix, and Tempe, preventing housing denials based on how individuals receive their income.
strategies · 21
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Civil rights-inspired fair housing advocacy civil-rights-inspired-advocacyGrounds fair housing work in the principles of justice, equality, and inclusion exemplified by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shaping a values-driven approach to systemic change.
- Civil rights-inspired fair housing advocacy civil-rights-inspired-advocacyGrounds fair housing work in the principles of justice, equality, and inclusion as advanced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., using this moral and historical framework to guide advocacy and community engagement efforts.
- Comprehensive legal advocacy and enforcement Legal Advocacy and SupportConducts fair housing testing, investigates violations, supports public enforcement lawsuits, and advocates for legal compliance to uphold fair housing rights, particularly for tenants with disabilities.
- Direct support and empowerment for victims of discrimination direct_support_and_empowermentThe organization combats housing discrimination by providing direct support, guidance, and information to individuals who believe their fair housing rights have been violated, empowering them to address discrimination.
- Direct support and empowerment of discrimination victims direct_support_and_empowermentProvides direct guidance, information, and support to individuals who believe their fair housing rights have been violated, helping them navigate complaints and access justice.
- Direct support and empowerment of discrimination victims direct_support_and_empowermentProvides direct guidance, information, and advocacy support to individuals who believe their fair housing rights have been violated, with the goal of empowering affected individuals to exercise their rights and achieve justice.
- Education and training for compliance and awareness education_and_trainingThe organization provides fair housing education to the public and requires housing providers to undergo HUD-compliant training and update internal policies to reduce future violations and build a more inclusive housing environment.
- Fair housing education and compliance training Compliance and EducationOffers public education through virtual and in-person classes and requires housing providers to undergo HUD-compliant training and policy updates to reduce future discrimination and foster inclusive practices.
- Fair housing education and compliance training Compliance and EducationReduces future discrimination by educating the public and housing providers through virtual and in-person classes, and requiring policy updates and HUD-compliant training to promote long-term systemic compliance.
- Improving access to justice in housing access to justiceWorks to remove barriers for individuals facing housing discrimination by providing pathways to legal recourse and support, ensuring fair housing rights are enforceable in practice.
- Legal advocacy and enforcement legal_advocacy_and_enforcementThe organization acts as a qualified fair housing enforcement body, conducting fair housing testing, investigating violations, advocating for enforcement rights, and supporting public enforcement lawsuits to ensure compliance with fair housing laws and improve access to justice.
- Legal advocacy and enforcement litigation support Legal Advocacy and SupportAdvances fair housing rights through direct legal action, including conducting fair housing testing, investigating violations, and supporting public enforcement lawsuits against violators of fair housing laws, particularly in cases involving disability accommodations.
- Multi-pronged approach to eliminate housing discrimination multi-pronged_fair_housing_approachThe organization employs a comprehensive strategy combining community outreach, education, research, advocacy, and enforcement to eliminate illegal housing discrimination and ensure fair and equitable housing opportunities for all.
- Multi-pronged enforcement and education approach multi-pronged enforcement and educationCombines community outreach, education, research, advocacy, and enforcement activities to eliminate illegal housing discrimination and ensure equitable housing access, operating as a qualified fair housing enforcement body.
- Multi-pronged enforcement and education approach multi-pronged enforcement and educationCombines community outreach, education, research, advocacy, and enforcement activities to eliminate illegal housing discrimination and ensure equitable housing access for all Arizonans, with an emphasis on systemic change through both preventive and responsive mechanisms.
- Policy advocacy for fair housing initiatives policy_advocacyThe organization advocates for robust federal funding for fair housing initiatives and works to influence policy to maintain protections and foster inclusive communities.
- Policy and funding advocacy for systemic change Policy AdvocacyAdvocates at the federal level for strong policy support and sustained funding—such as for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)—to strengthen fair housing enforcement and expand protections nationwide.
- Policy and systemic advocacy Policy AdvocacyAdvocates for sustained federal funding and policy support—such as for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)—to strengthen fair housing protections and promote inclusive communities at scale.
- Targeted support for vulnerable populations vulnerable_population_targetingFocusses on protecting groups disproportionately affected by housing and lending discrimination—such as disabled veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and families with children—through tailored assistance and advocacy.
- Targeted support for vulnerable populations vulnerable_population_targetingThe organization focuses on addressing housing and lending discrimination by providing targeted support to vulnerable populations, including disabled veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and families with children, recognizing their heightened susceptibility to discrimination.
- Targeted support for vulnerable populations vulnerable_population_targetingFocusses on protecting and supporting populations most at risk of housing and lending discrimination—such as disabled veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and families with children—through tailored assistance and advocacy.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Assistance Animal Advocacy
Educates the public on the rights of individuals with disabilities to live with assistance animals in housing.
Fair Housing Education
Provides free classes on fair housing rights and responsibilities to educate the community.
Housing Discrimination Investigation
Investigates complaints of housing discrimination and provides advocacy for affected individuals.
relationships · 37
who they work with
- Arizona Attorney General Government — Lists the Arizona Attorney General's Office as a helpful contact for enforcing consumer protection and civil rights laws.
- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes Partner — Supported a public enforcement lawsuit filed by the Arizona Attorney General.
- Arizona Attorney General’s Office Civil Rights Division Partner — Coordinated with the Arizona Attorney General's Office Civil Rights Division on a housing discrimination settlement.
- Arizona Attorney General’s Office Civil Rights Division Partner — Coordinates with SWFHC on resolving allegations of disability-based housing discrimination and unlawful retaliation.
- Arizona Attorney General’s Office Civil Rights Division Partner — Partnered with SWFHC to resolve a housing discrimination complaint through a settlement agreement.
- Arizona Bar Foundation Partner — Maxine Becker, Lead Director of Public Information at Arizona Bar Foundation, serves as President of SWFHC's Board of Directors.
- Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council Partner — Lists the Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council as a helpful contact for developing, monitoring, and reviewing the State Plan for Independent Living.
- Central Arizona Shelter Services Partner — Richard Southee from Central Arizona Shelter Services serves as President-Elect of SWFHC's Board of Directors.
- City of Phoenix: Equal Opportunity Department Government — Lists the City of Phoenix: Equal Opportunity Department as a helpful contact for ensuring compliance with laws regarding fair housing, employment, disability, public accommodations, and community relations/services.
- City of South Tucson Housing & Community Development Partner — Betty Villegas, Director of City of South Tucson Housing & Community Development, serves on SWFHC's Board of Directors.
- City of Tucson Planning Commission Partner — Executive Director Jay Young actively contributes to the commission.
- City of Tucson: Housing and Community Development Department Government — Lists the City of Tucson: Housing and Community Development Department as a helpful contact for resources related to code enforcement, housing management, and Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher assistance.
- Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General's Office Government — Requested the administrative order that authorizes SWFHC employees to represent individuals in fair housing cases.
- Commission on Equitable Housing and Development Partner — Executive Director Jay Young actively contributes to the commission.
- Community Legal Services Partner — Lists Community Legal Services as a helpful contact for property disputes, including housing issues like eviction or foreclosure.
- Community Legal Services, Inc. Partner — Refers individuals to Community Legal Services, Inc. for copies of the Arizona Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
- Department of Justice Government — References the Department of Justice's affirmation of reasonable accommodations under the law.
- Department of Justice (DOJ) Government — Involved in efforts to terminate critical fair housing grants, which SWFHC opposed.
- Department of Justice (DOJ) Government — Receives funding from DOJ under the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP).
- Family Housing Resources Partner — Lists Family Housing Resources as a helpful contact for providing quality, affordable housing through rental and home-buyer support programs.
- Flagstaff Shelter Services Partner — Ross Schaefer, Executive Director at Flagstaff Shelter Services, serves on SWFHC's Board of Directors.
- Frame Properties Limited Partnership Partner — Subject of a public enforcement lawsuit supported by SWFHC for alleged violations of the Arizona Fair Housing Act.
- Housing Authority, Yuma Partner — Maria Moreno from Housing Authority, Yuma, serves on SWFHC's Board of Directors.
- Landlord and Tenant Program Partner — Lists the Landlord and Tenant Program as a helpful contact for educational services and information for landlords and tenants.
- Maricopa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Partner — Lists the Maricopa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service as a helpful contact for matching clients with attorneys.
- National Fair Housing Alliance Partner — Executive Director Jay Young serves on the board.
- Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) Partner — Lists Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) as a helpful contact for promoting dignity and respect for aging and advocating for independence for older adults in Pima County.
- Progress Arizona Partner — Alex Alvarez, Executive Director at Progress Arizona, serves as Treasurer of SWFHC's Board of Directors.
- Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA) Partner — Lists Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA) as a helpful contact for free legal services for people with limited financial means.
- Supreme Court of Arizona Government — Issued an administrative order authorizing SWFHC employees to represent individuals in fair housing cases.
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