The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan

Mission: To prevent and eliminate illegal housing discrimination and to ensure equal housing opportunity.  We achieve our objective through education, outreach, research, advocacy and enforcement.

The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is a private, non-profit fair housing organization committed to providing comprehensive fair housing services, including education, outreach, research, advocacy and enforcement. We currently serve 12 counties in western Michigan: Allegan, Grand Traverse, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Ottawa.

Our vision is that each individual in West Michigan is treated with respect in their housing choices and is not illegally hindered or prevented from living in any dwelling. We are a visible, leading force for ensuring those rights. The Fair Housing Center is the front door to housing choice, ensuring that everyone in our community has equal opportunity to choose housing that’s right for them. Through education, research and advocacy, we prevent housing discrimination, remove barriers that allow it to persist, and restore housing choice when discrimination happens. Learn more about our services.

We work with tenants, homeowners, and home seekers as well as professionals, companies, and social service agencies related to housing. These include landlords, realtors, lending institutions, insurance agents, and more.

The Fair Housing Center relies on volunteers in both education and advocacy programming. Volunteering can mean a one time commitment for a specific event, or being available to be called upon as needs for volunteers arise. We will work with you to find a volunteer opportunity that will work with your schedule. We know your time is valuable and we appreciate your willingness to give some of that time to us. We couldn’t do our work without our volunteers. For more information about any of the volunteer opportunities listed below, please contact the Fair Housing Center by phone or email.

Housing Tester Program:

Our housing tester program is an interesting way to learn about the community and get first hand experience with fair housing. Testers play the role of a home seeker and participate in apartment showings, open houses, and other experiences to help us monitor fair housing practices. Testers are of vital importance to the advocacy and research programs of the Fair Housing Center. Without a vast and diverse pool of volunteer testers, the Fair Housing Center would be drastically limited in our ability to conduct research and investigate claims of illegal discrimination.

Events:

The Fair Housing Center utilizes volunteers during our multiple events throughout the year.  Volunteers assist with set-up and clean-up, registration, as well as greeting and directing attendees.