Fair Housing Office Looking for Business

Appointments are readily available to discuss housing discrimination issues with a representative of the Fair Housing Council of San Gabriel Valley, who has office hours once a month at Lancaster City Hall.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, a representative is available to answer questions, investigate complaints and assist tenants in pursuing legal remedies. It is illegal for property owners to discriminate against a person who wants to rent or buy a residence.

Since the monthly office hours started in September, few people have taken advantage of the offer for free advice, officials say. A $15,000 HUD grant is paying for the program.

“They’ve had very little to do and we don’t want that,” said city spokeswoman Anne Aldrich. “It’s a service that people need.”

The next available date is Dec. 21. To make any appointment, call (800) 346-2883.