Erie County Fair Housing Partnership


Who We Are
Welcome! The Erie County Fair Housing Partnership was created in 1997 as a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting equal opportunity in housing for all residents of Western New York. The Partnership has a diverse representation from various segments of the community including government, banking, real estate, legal services, advocacy groups and community organizations (see list of current members).

Why Fair Housing is Important
Housing plays a large role in defining a person's quality of life. Where you live affects your access to social, cultural, educational and many other community amenities such as schools, transportation, employment, medical services, retail and professional services, recreational and entertainment opportunities and much more. Housing discrimination is an illegal obstacle to housing choice and denies people the opportunity to fully experience and enjoy the “American Dream” of choosing, owning and being responsible for their own house and home.

National Fair Housing Month is April
The Erie County Fair Housing Partnership, Inc. encourages residents to participate in the recognition of National Fair Housing Month this April. According to Bonny Evert, Chair of the Fair Housing Partnership, “The celebration of Fair Housing Month is an acknowledgment of the efforts and victories of all who have worked towards guaranteeing equal access to housing for all.”

Under Federal and State law, it is illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental and advertising of housing based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, familial status, military status or sexual orientation. Within the City of Buffalo discrimination based upon lawful source of income, and gender identity and expression is also prohibited. The recognition of Fair Housing Month reinforces an awareness of the barriers that inhibit the ability of entire segments of our population to freely access the housing of their choice.


The Partnershp Offers Free Education and Outreach to the Public
 -  free fair housing presentations to audiences of all ages - contact Debbie Norman, Vice President 
 -  for schools a presentation using our "DOTS" coloring book - contact Diane Cadle , Membership Chair


Below:  Members of the Erie County Fair Housing Partnership and family members participated in the Walk for CommUnity sponsored by the National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York which took place on September 17, 2011 at the LaSalle Park Pavilion in Buffalo, NY.  The Partnership also sponsored the event.


Below:  Erie County, the City of Buffalo and Towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Hamburg and Tonawanda presented Fair Housing proclmations to HUD on April 19, 2012.  The event took place at HOME's new headquarters (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) on Main Street.  Members of the Erie County Fair Housing Partnership were also present.



Upcoming Events:

April 25 & 26 - Special Webcast: Join New Yorkers around the state to hear from experts and advocates,
ask questions, get answers and take action - Mahoney State Office Bldg, 65 Court Street Room 4 -
Open to the Public but space is limited - RSVP to rsvp@dhr.ny.gov or call 1-888-392-3644

April 26 - TESTIFY! Film Event - FREE - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Halwells
May 3 - TESTIFY! Film Event - FREE - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Williamsville Meeting House

April 27 - PUSH Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser - 5:30 pm - 271 Grant Street - Contact 884-0356

April 28 - Westside Partnership Housing Fair - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Loretto Ministry Center

Erie County Fair Housing Parthership Fair Housing Month Speaker Series - FREE and Open to the Public:
- May 1 - LGBT Rights - 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm - The Evergreen Conference Center
- May 2 - Tenant and Neighborhood Organizing - 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm - Westside Community Services
- May 3 - Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Buffalo Urban League
- May 4 - Housing Discrimination & Tenants Rights & Responsibilities - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - HOME Offices

May 9 - Boarding Up Our Burdens:  How Vacant Houses are Draining Our Neighborhoods - FREE -
Temple Beth Zion - 805 Delaware Avenue - 8:30 am - 9:00 am breakfast  9:00 - 10:00 am lecture
Register by visiting www.hocn.org

T.G.I.Fridays - (Main & Chippewa) Join HOME for dinner on Tuesday, April 24 after 5:00 pm and HOME will
receive 20% of our bill when you use the special dining coupon.  Contact Shannon Koehn at 854-1400 xts 17.