Project Sentinel

What is VAWA? The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that protects victims and threatened victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking from being discriminated against by certain housing providers because of the abuse committed against them. This month, we encourage everyone to learn how you can take action and understand the protections offered by VAWA. If you or anyone you may know is experiencing housing discrimination including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking contact your local fair housing agency. Project Sentinel can help over the phone; 888-324-7468 or visit our website to learn more about housing discrimination against survivors of Domestic Violence at www.housing.org

Palo Alto residents - Join us for free webinars on the updates to state laws that make crucial changes to the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords in Palo Alto. Our virtual workshop for Palo Alto tenants will be held on Monday, October 28th from 5:00-6:00pm and our virtual workshop for Palo Alto landlords will be held on Wednesday, October 30th from 5:00-6:00pm via Zoom. Register here:  October 28th Tenant Workshop: https://bit.ly/3zEjntj October 30th Landlord Workshop: https://bit.ly/3TJtzYc

Redwood City residents - Join us for our October workshops on tenant-landlord information and resources in English or Spanish! English Workshop: October 15, 2024 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Register here: https://lnkd.in/gk2p4cs8 Taller en Español: Octubre 17, 2024 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Registrarse: https://lnkd.in/gCN8vpQU

This October, join us for in-person or online tester trainings and earn money! During these trainings, learn more about becoming a tester and earn $100 upon completion of the training. Fair housing testers help expose discrimination in the housing market by posing as home seekers. Register via the QR codes below!

Fair housing law does not explicitly protect people with criminal records. However, a blanket policy of refusing to rent to people with criminal records is discriminatory. Most often, criminal background checks are a screening tool used to determine qualified applicants. For those with criminal records, these screening checks have become a barrier to obtaining housing. Look out for: · Being denied based on arrest records · Blanket bans on anyone who a criminal record · Inconsistent background checks, performing them on some applicants and not others based on stereotypes or fear. In any event of a housing provider’s intentions, a criminal history policy that disproportionately affects people with a particular protected characteristic may violate the fair housing act. You have a right to exercise your renter’s rights, including your Fair Housing rights. Call Project Sentinel at (888) 324-7468 for help.

We loved presenting at the Santa Clara City Library this week on our tenant-landlord dispute resolution services! Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn about our work in the community. Your enthusiasm and insightful questions made it truly special. And a big thank you to the Santa Clara City Library for hosting us!

There are different laws that protect people who identify as LGBTQIA+ from housing discrimination. Here are a few key laws to know: · The Fair Housing Act: The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, familial status, disability, sex, which include sexual orientation and gender identity. · HUD’s equal access rule: HUD’s equal access rule requires equal access to HUD’s programs without regard to someone’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. · State and local anti-discrimination laws: California law prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Learn more about the signs of discrimination and other helpful information - check out our Housing Discrimination Against Sex, Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation toolkit: https://lnkd.in/gb4g5uKS If you are victim of retaliation or discrimination, contact Project Sentinel: 888.324.7268

Update QR code to register or register via this link: https://lnkd.in/gsChiAvn Gilroy residents - join us for a virtual presentation on housing rights

When contacting Project Sentinel for help or to file a Fair Housing discrimination complaint, rest assured that your call will be carefully assessed and held with high confidentiality. It is illegal for your landlord to harass, attempt to evict, raise the rent, or take any other kind of retaliatory action because you did any of the following: ·Filed a housing discrimination complaint ·Contacted your local fair housing agency ·Requested a maintenance repair ·Complained to the landlord or made a report to a local code enforcement agency about illegal or unsafe living conditions Project Sentinel is here to aid all members of the community regardless of income, race, national origin, or immigration status. You have a right to exercise your renter’s rights, including your Fair Housing rights. Call us at (888) 324-7468 for help. -- Al ponerse en contacto con Project Sentinel para solicitar asistencia o presentar una queja por discriminación en el acceso a una vivienda justa, puede estar seguro de que su llamada será evaluada con cuidado y tratada con estricta confidencialidad. Es ilegal que el propietario lo acose, intente, desalojarlo, aumente su alquiler o tome cualquier tipo de represalia debido a que usted haya: ·Presentado una queja por discriminación en materia de vivienda ·Contactado a la agencia local de vivienda justa ·Mantenimiento solicitado ·Reclamado al propietario o presentado una denuncia ante un organismo local encargado de hacer cumplir los códigos sobre condiciones de vida ilegales o inseguras Project Sentinel está aquí para ayudar a todos los miembros de la comunidad sin importar sus ingresos, raza, nacionalidad o estatus migratorio. Usted tiene derecho a hacer valer sus derechos como inquilino, incluidos los relacionados con la Vivienda Justa. Llámenos al (888)324-7468 para recibir ayuda.

Help fight housing discrimination while earning money! We're holding an in-person tester training on October 9, 2024 from 11am-1pm in Merced. During this training, learn more about becoming a tester and earn $100 upon completion of the training! Fair housing testers help expose discrimination in the housing market by posing as home seekers. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gaye-Wwm