Center For Fair Housing logo

Center For Fair Housing

3.8/5

Non-profit fair housing organization providing free advocacy, enforcement, housing counseling, and discrimination investigations in South Alabama since 2002.

Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks

Free to Use BBB: NR Free Consultation Visit Website

Center For Fair Housing Review

The Center for Fair Housing is a private, non-profit community resource based in Mobile, Alabama that has operated for 20 years with a mission to eliminate housing discrimination and promote housing choice. The organization is dedicated to serving communities affected by unfair housing practices and works to ensure equal opportunity regardless of protected class status. Founded with HUD support (FHIP Grant), the organization provides comprehensive fair housing services to South Alabama residents at no cost.

The Center for Fair Housing offers multiple free services including housing discrimination enforcement and investigation, mystery shopping investigations to identify discriminatory practices, outreach and education programs for the general public, specialized protections and services for persons with disabilities, housing counseling to guide individuals through homeownership steps, and volunteer opportunities for community members. They accept discrimination complaints via dedicated email (complaints@sacfh.com) and provide phone-based support during business hours. Their approach combines direct consumer advocacy with institutional compliance work targeting landlords, banks, and other housing-related organizations.

What distinguishes this organization is their focus on investigative enforcement and mystery shopping as tools to uncover systemic discrimination, combined with education and disability-specific protections. They operate with both individual complaint resolution and broader community education mandates. The organization explicitly names protected classes under fair housing law (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, military status, and sexual orientation) and frames their work as fighting for affected individuals.

The primary limitation is geographic scope—services are specific to South Alabama from their Mobile, AL location. Operating hours are standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM) with remote operations noted as COVID-related. The organization does not appear to offer credit-related services or financial counseling beyond housing-specific guidance. For individuals outside South Alabama or requiring credit repair rather than fair housing advocacy, this would not be the appropriate resource.

Services & Features

Housing discrimination complaint intake and investigation
Fair housing enforcement advocacy and case representation
Mystery shopping investigations of properties and lenders
Free housing counseling for homeownership preparation
Disability-specific fair housing protections and guidance
Community outreach and education programs
Fair Housing Act compliance oversight of landlords and banks
Protected class discrimination documentation and support
Volunteer opportunities for community members
Fair housing resource distribution and information

Feature Checklist

Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free services—no fees for discrimination complaints, counseling, or advocacy
  • HUD-funded organization with official fair housing enforcement authority and grants
  • 20-year track record of community service with established credibility
  • Multiple avenues for complaints (phone, email, in-person) and free housing counseling
  • Mystery shopping investigations to identify discriminatory practices at properties
  • Specialized protections and services designed for persons with disabilities
  • Education programs and community outreach to prevent discrimination before it occurs

Cons

  • Limited to South Alabama geographic area—services not available nationally
  • Remote operations model (as of website content date) may limit in-person access
  • Standard business hours only (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM); closed weekends
  • No apparent credit repair or credit counseling services offered
  • Services are fair housing-specific; cannot assist with non-housing discrimination issues

Rating Breakdown

Value
4.5
Effectiveness
3.5
Customer Service
3.8
Transparency
4.0
Ease of Use
3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Center For Fair Housing legitimate?

Yes. Center For Fair Housing is a registered company headquartered in Mobile, AL. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How long does Center For Fair Housing take to show results?

Counseling available within 1-2 weeks of contact.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
Mobile, AL
BBB Rating
NR
BBB Accredited
No
Certifications
HUD-Approved
Starting Price
Free to Use
Setup Fee
None
Free Consultation
Yes
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit Center For Fair Housing

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on Center For Fair Housing

Best for South Alabama residents experiencing housing discrimination who need free legal advocacy and investigation support. Primary limitation is strict geographic scope (Mobile, AL area only) and fair housing focus—this organization does not assist with credit issues, general financial counseling, or discrimination outside the housing sector.

Best For

  • South Alabama residents who have experienced housing discrimination based on protected class
  • Individuals with disabilities seeking housing rights advocacy and specialized protections
  • Renters and homebuyers facing discrimination in rental, sale, financing, or insurance decisions
  • Community members seeking education on fair housing rights and protections
Updated 2026-03-21

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