Fair housing is a right for all. The inability to understand what a person is being told about housing programs, rules and regulations may seriously impact an individual s basic need, his shelter and the rights that a person is due. Housing providers that receive federal funding must comply with the Fair Housing Act, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the August 11, 2000 Executive Order 13166 to prevent discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by providing meaningful access in the form of interpretive and/or translation services to individuals with limited English proficiency. The goal is to avoid limiting effective participation in programs.

In order to prevent discrimination against individuals who are not native English speakers, housing providers are required to:

• Communicate effectively with persons of limited English proficiency
• Develop an LEP Plan, including researching the LEP groups in the community
• Make available written translations of key documents
• Provide oral interpretations

For information: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/promotingfh/lep-faq.cfm