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Fair Housing & MaineHousing

Pages : Education and Tools : Fair Housing Education : Fair Housing & MaineHousing

General Fair Housing Information
Federal and state laws give you a right to fair housing. These laws prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, advertising or financing of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or familial status. Discrimination means any action, omission or decision that has the effect of restricting your choice of housing and access to housing assistance.
	Learn more about state fair housing and equal access laws from the Maine Human Rights Commission , the state agency responsible for administering and enforcing Maine’s fair housing laws
	Learn more about federal fair housing and equal access laws from the Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing the federal fair housing laws.

Disability Rights
Federal and state laws provide certain rights and protections for persons with disabilities, including persons with mental and physical disabilities. These laws prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities; require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities in policies, procedures and programs; require housing providers to allow persons with disabilities to make reasonable modifications so they can fully enjoy their housing and related facilities; and require multifamily housing to be designed and constructed in accordance with certain accessibility standards.
	Learn more about State disability rights laws and accessibility standards from the Maine Human Rights Commission.
	Learn more about federal disability rights laws and accessibility standards. Federal Fair Housing Act relating to all housing and programs Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 relating to federally-assisted housing and programs Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to federally-assisted housing and programs Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA and a list of ADA publications Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 relating to programs, services and activities provided or made possible by State and local governments – summary of Title II requirements . Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 relating to public accommodations – for a summary of Title III requirements . Learn more about reasonable modifications. Learn more about reasonable accommodations For more information and resources For consumer guides to disability rights laws prepared by the United States Department of Justice and prepared by Disability Rights Center of Maine . For the Federal government’s website on disability-related information and resources For the State’s website on disability-related information and resources For Alpha One’s website For Access Maine’s website For Disability Rights Center of Maine’s website

Limited English Proficiency
Federal law requires all recipients of financial assistance from the federal government to make reasonable efforts to provide language assistance to persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) to ensure they have meaningful access to the recipient’s programs and services. Persons with Limited English Proficiency are persons who, as a result of national origin, do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to speak, read, write or understand English.
	Learn more about Federal LEP requirements Learn more about State efforts concerning LEP, immigration and diversity from the State’s Office of Multicultural Affairs Learn more about resources for communication with persons who have limited english proficiency, are hearing-impaired or vision-impaired.

To File a Complaint

Learn more about the State’s fair housing complaint process
Learn more about HUD’s fair housing complaint process
Learn more about the ADA Title II complaint process for discrimination against persons with disabilities relating to State and local government services and assistance, see Section IX of Title II Highlights and the complaint form .
Learn more about the ADA Title III complaint process for discrimination against persons with disabilities relating to public accommodations

Advocacy Groups and Legal Resources

Pine Tree Legal Assistance
- Augusta, 39 Green Street
  Tel: 207-622-4731 or 207-623-7777 or 207-623-7770 (TTY)
- Bangor, 61 Main Street
  Tel: 207-942-8241 or 207-942-1060 (TTY)
- Lewiston, 37 Park Street, Suite 401
  Tel: 207-784-1558
- Machias, Route 1 and Old County Road
  Tel: 207-255-8656 or 207-255-6179 (TTY)
- Portland, 88 Federal Street
  Tel: 207-774-8211 or 207-828-2308 (TTY)
- Presque Isle, 373 Main Street
  Tel: 207-764-4349 or 207-764-2453 (TTY)
- Farmworker & Native American Units - Bangor
  Tel: 207-942-0673
- Multi-lingual Language Line
  Tel: 207-774-8211
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
Tel: 1-800-442-4293
Maine Equal Justice Project
Tel: 207-626-7058
Disability Rights Center
Statewide Hotline, Tel. 1-800-452-1948 (V/TTY)
For information about other advocacy groups in Maine

MaineHousing Nondiscrimination Policy

Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, or familial status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. MaineHousing will also provide this document in alternative formats upon sufficient notice. MaineHousing has designated the following person responsible for coordinating compliance with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination requirements and addressing grievances: Louise Patenaude, MaineHousing, 353 Water Street, Augusta, ME 04330-4633, Telephone Number (207) 626-4600 or 1-800-452-4668 (voice), or 1-800-452-4603 (TTY).

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