Fair Housing Contact Service in Akron, OH

Fair Housing Contact Service (FHCS) is a community-based non-profit organization established in 1965 in Akron, Ohio, with deep historical roots addressing systemic housing discrimination. The organization emerged from the Council on HOMES, a civic leadership group formed in 1962 to combat discriminatory housing practices that confined African-American residents to segregated neighborhoods despite population growth. FHCS became instrumental in neighborhood integration efforts and received federal funding in 1968 to assist low-income residents in finding housing.

FHCS offers free assistance across three primary service areas: investigating and reporting housing discrimination, providing housing counseling for home buyers and owners, and addressing tenant-landlord disputes. The organization helps individuals pursue legal rights and remedies related to fair housing violations, educates communities about fair housing laws covering protected classes including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability, and connects residents with additional resources like Community Legal Aid's eviction prevention clinics. They serve the greater Akron region and operate as an all-volunteer and staff model.

The organization's distinguishing characteristic is its specific focus on fair housing discrimination rather than general credit counseling or financial services. FHCS combines direct legal assistance with community education and advocacy, positioning fair housing as a social determinant of health. Their 60+ year track record of community integration work and their commitment to equity in housing access differentiates them from broader financial counseling nonprofits.

As a free-help organization, FHCS effectively serves residents facing housing discrimination and those seeking fair housing education, though the website provides limited detail about specific program reach, success metrics, or current staffing levels. The organization partners with Community Legal Aid for eviction prevention support but maintains its own independent mission focused specifically on discrimination and fair housing rights rather than general credit repair or debt management.