Press Releases

Stay up to date with the latest Equal Rights Center and civil rights news by reading our press releases. To view press releases prior to 2014, click here.

Press inquiries may be directed to communications@equalrightscenter.org.  If you are interested in subscribing to receive all ERC press releases, sign up here.

All Press Releases:

2024

D.C. Civil Rights Powerhouse Sues Northwest D.C. Apartment Complexes for Tenant Screening Discrimination

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against Related Companies et. al, Alleging Refusal to Accept Housing Choice Vouchers at D.C. Apartments

2023

Equal Rights Center Announces Settlement Agreements to Resolve Two Housing Discrimination Cases

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against Kettler Management Over Rampant Source of Income Discrimination at Multiple D.C. Properties

COURT DENIES DEFENDANTS’ MOTIONS TO DISMISS: Equal Rights Center Has Standing to Sue Under the D.C. Consumer Protections Procedures Act and the D.C. Human Rights Act

Equal Rights Center & WC Smith Reach Agreement to Address Fair Housing Concerns Related to Criminal Records Screening in Washington, DC

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against District Housing Provider Who Only Accepts “students and young professionals between the ages of 18-35”

Equal Rights Center and Sage Ventures Reach a Collaborative Agreement to Ensure Fair Housing Protections in Maryland and Virginia

2022

Equal Rights Center & Greystar Strike Impactful Agreement to Address Fair Housing Concerns in Virginia

On FHA Anniversary, Equal Rights Center Alleges Local Apartment Complex Engaging in Illegal Race & Source of Income Discrimination

Equal Rights Center & Disabled Military Family Member Successfully Settle Lawsuit Against Walter Reed Military Hospital for Inaccessible Restrooms

2021

ERC and Local Renter File Federal Lawsuit Alleging Source of Income and race Discrimination at Northwest DC Apartment Building

NAD and ERC Invite State Agencies in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia to Collaborate in Addressing Illegal Disability Discrimination

In Important Opinion for Disability Access and Inclusion, Federal Judge Rules that Uber is Subject to Anti-Discrimination Laws

2020

Investigation Reveals Significant Language Barriers to COVID-19 Testing Information for Limited English Proficient Individuals in D.C. Area

Equal Rights Center Releases Video on New HUD Guidance on Assistance Animals

Equal Rights Center Appoints New Executive Director

2019

Equal Rights Center Releases Online Course for Housing Providers About Washington, D.C. Fair Housing Laws

Civil Rights Testing Report Reveals Barriers to Housing In Person and Online for People with Disabilities

Civil Rights Testing Report Reveals Possible Hiring Discrimination Against LGBT Virginians

2018

Equal Rights Center Secures Protections for Temporary Subsidy Holders As It Resolves Source of Income Discrimination Lawsuit Against DC Housing Provider

Judge Rules Temporary Subsidies are Included in the District’s Prohibition against Source of Income Discrimination

ERC Resolves Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against Nation’s Largest Private Landlord

The Equal Rights Center Sues Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the Navy Exchange Over Barriers to Accessibility

FHA@50 Symposium Highlights the Continued Need for Housing Equity Efforts in D.C. and Nationally

The Equal Rights Center’s Next Generation Segregation Report Suggests Discrimination is Pushing African American Families Out of DC

2017

Equal Rights Center Files Lawsuit against National Housing Provider Alleging Illegal Race and National Origin Discrimination

Equal Rights Center Releases Online Course for Housing Providers about Fair Housing Responsibilities in Relation to Criminal Records Screening

Equal Rights Center Resolves Race and Source of Income Discrimination Complaint through Robust, Court Enforced Agreement with DC Housing Provider

Columbia Legal Services Releases “Access Denied” Report Based On ERC Testing Investigation

Equal Rights Center Files Lawsuit Against Uber For Providing Services That Are Inaccessible To Wheelchair Riders

Equal Rights Center Alleges Unlawful Housing Discrimination Over Company’s Refusal to Accept Temporary Housing Subsidies

Property Management Company’s Refusal to Rent to District Voucher Holders is Unlawful Discrimination

District Government Agencies and Local Housing Organizations to Address ‘Changing Times’ at 16th Annual Fair Housing Symposium

2016

Equal Rights Center and Equity Residential Settle Litigation and Agree to Expand Accessible Housing

Equal Rights Center Uncovers High Rate of Racial Discrimination Against African American Women With Criminal Records In DC Area Housing

Room For Change Report Reveals Gender Identity Discrimination in Retail Settings

Properties Must Be Accessible to People with Disabilities Before Occupancy Federal Court Rules

Room for Change Webinar Addresses Gender Identity Discrimination Protections in Public Accommodations

Town Hall Helps LGBT Seniors Combat Discrimination

Fair Housing Workshop Assists Older LGBT Adults

2015

BREAKING: Illinois Department of Human Rights Finds Substantial Evidence that Exxon Violated LGBT Rights in Hiring Practices – (2/4/15)

New ERC Toolkit Educates Older LGBT Individuals on Fair Housing Rights – (2/3/15)

2014

ERC Applauds President’s Immigration Executive Action – (11/21/14)

New ERC Toolkit Educates Veterans with Disabilities to be Self-Advocates for Accessible Housing – (11/11/14)

ERC Applauds President’s Nomination for Attorney General – (11/10/14)

ERC Files Lawsuit against Major U.S. Retailer for Lack of Accessible Stores Nationwide – (10/22/14)

LGBT Workers are 23% Less Likely to Receive a Call-Back When Applying to Work for Federal Contractors – (7/1/14)

ERC Advocate of the Year Confirmed as HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity – (6/19/14)

District Agencies, Nonprofit, Host Educational Forum to Increase Awareness of Fair Housing Issues in the District of Columbia – (4/30/14)

Equal Rights Center Announces New Executive Director – (4/1/14)

ERC Documents Discrimination against Older Same-Sex Couples – (2/26/14)

Archives

ERC Receives Generous Support from United Way of the National Capital Area – (1/14/13)

Equal Rights Center Lauds New HUD Disparate Impact Regulations – (2/8/13)

Watermark Residential Becomes Newest Member of Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (2/28/13)

Equal Rights Center Announces National Initiative to Promote Accessibility – (3/6/13)

Innovative Architectural Firm Joins the Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (3/20/13)

Investigation Finds Decline in Discrimination Against Individuals Using Housing Choice Vouchers – (3/28/13)

Investigation Finds Adverse Treatment of Latinos in 55 Percent of Rental Housing Inquiries – (4/30/13)

ERC Fights Housing Discrimination Against Individuals Using Guide Dogs – (5/8/13)

ERC Announces Launch of the Equal Rights Learning Center – (7/1/13)

ERC and NCLR Investigation Uncovers Housing Discrimination against Latinos in Three Major Metropolitan Areas – (7/22/13)

ERC Announces New Testing and Special Project Program Manager and Fair Employment Program Manager – (8/15/13)

Woodfield Investments, LLC Joins the Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (9/11/13)

Equal Rights Center Awarded Two Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – (9/26/13)

ERC Publishes Healthcare Accessibility Toolkit to Advance Self Advocacy – (10/1/13)

American Standard Joins Multifamily Housing Resource Program as Founding Associate Member – (11/14/13)

ERC Releases Fair Housing Act Checklist to Promote Accessibility in Design and Construction of Multifamily Housing – (11/20/13)

Equal Rights Center Executive Director Announces Retirement – (12/10/13)

ERC Finds 31 Percent Rate of Discrimination Against Individuals Who Use Guide Dogs – (11/13/12)

Equal Rights Center and JBG Properties, Inc., Collaborate to Increase Accessible Housing for People with Disabilities – (9/24/12)

Equal Rights Center Launches “Love Thy Neighbor” Campaign Focused on Housing Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation – (9/20/12)

Equal Rights Center Fights Discriminatory Housing Advertising in the District of Columbia – (8/27/12)

Equal Rights Center and Pret A Manger Announce National Initiative to Promote Accessibility – (8/14/12)

Equal Rights Center Investigation Finds 45% of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Encounter Housing Discrimination – (8/8/12)

Equal Rights Center and McDonald’s Franchisees Announce Efforts to Make Several D.C. Restaurants More Accessible – (7/12/12)

Equal Rights Center to Serve on Access Boar’s Advisory Committee for Accessible Medical Equipment – (7/10/12)

Equal Rights Center and The Cohen Companies, Inc. Collaborate to Increase Accessible Housing for People with Disabilities – (6/18/12)

Equal Rights Center Reaches Agreement with National Leasing Services Provider, Level One Holdings, Inc., to Promote Equal Housing Opportunity for Voucher Holders – (6/12/12)

Equal Rights Center Announces New Immigrant Rights Program Manager – (6/8/12)

Equal Rights Center Launches Multi-Faceted PSA Campaign Focusing on Emerging Housing Issue of “Visitability” – (4/17/12)

As Fair Housing Month Begins, Equal Rights Center Continues Fight Against Source of Income Discrimination In the District – (4/4/12)

Equal Rights Center to Partner with DC and VA Government Agencies to Promote Fair Housing – (2/28/12)

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against National Apartment Leasing Call Center, Level One, Inc., for Discrimination Against Voucher Holders – (2/23/12)

Equal Rights Center Receives Generous Support from The Herb Block Foundation – (2/7/12)

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against Property Owners and Managers for Discrimination Against Voucher Holders – (1/11/12)

Equal Rights Center Investigation Uncovers Widespread Accessibility Violations by Medical Care Providers – (11/2/11)

Equal Rights Center Appoints Immigrant Rights Program Manager and Coordinator – (10/11/11)

Equal Rights Center and Lerner Enterprises Reach Agreement to Improve Accessible Housing for People with Disabilities – (9/29/11)

ERC’S Multifamily Housing Resource Program Launches E-Learning Services – (8/31/11)

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against Management Firm and Apartment Owner that Discriminate Against Voucher Holders – (8/29/11)

Equal Rights Center Mourns Loss of Long-Time Immigrant Rights Advocate
Equal Rights Center lamenta la perdida de defensor de los derechos de inmigrantes – (8/19/11)

Equal Rights Center Taps New Development and Communications Staff – (8/3/11)

Federal Judge Gives Green Light to Lawsuit Challenging Housing Discrimination by Nation’s Largest Housing Developer – (7/27/11)

Equal Rights Center Supports U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ Report on Fair Housing in the District – (7/14/11)

In Public Hearing, Equal Rights Center Calls Upon D.C. Taxicab Commission to Do More to End Discrimination; Reporters Arrested During ERC Member Testimony – (6/22/11)

Equal Rights Center Adds National Accessibility Consulting Firm to Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (6/8/11)

D.C. Government and Equal Rights Center Reach Agreement to Make District Agencies More Accessible for Individuals Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing – (6/7/11)

Gables Residential Affirms Commitment to Accessible Housing, Joins ERC’s Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (5/18/11)

ERC Taps Two Civil Rights Advocates to Lead Disability Rights, and Immigrant Rights Programs – (5/6/11)

Report Finds D.C. Landlords Illegally Discriminating Against 45% of Individuals Using Housing Choice Vouchers – (4/28/11)

Equal Rights Center Launches Multi-Faceted Disability Campaign – (4/12/11)

ERC Receives Generous Support from Cafritz Foundation – (3/31/11)

Equal Rights Center Receives Nearly $1,000,000 from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to Support Fair Housing Work – (3/30/11)

Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC Joins Equal Rights Center’s Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (3/25/11)

Equal Rights Center, D.C. Lottery, Reach Agreement to Make Lottery Accessible to People with Disabilities – (3/22/11)

Equal Rights Center Names Seasoned Advocate as New Deputy Director – (3/16/11)

Letter of Thanks to the Board of Directors – (3/4/11)

Equal Rights Center and Eye Care Centers of America Announce National Accessibility Initiative – (3/3/11)

Equal Rights Center Adds New Civil Rights Expertise – (2/15/11)

Equal Rights Center Applauds Repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” – (12/22/10)

Equal Rights Center Lauds Introduction of HOME Act – (12/9/10)

Equal Rights Center and CVS/pharmacy Announce Initiatives to Make Stores More Accessible – (12/2/10)

National Apartment Development Leaders Convene to Discuss Promoting Accessible Housing – (11/8/10)

Equal Rights Center Files Discrimination Suit Against Owner and Manager of Fieldpointe Apartments – (10/27/10)

Equal Rights Center Congratulates Former Board Member’s Induction into Human Rights Hall of Fame – (10/25/10)

Equal Rights Center and Paradigm Development Company Agree to Expand Accessible Housing – (10/19/10)

Equal Rights Center Welcomes New Disability Rights Manager – (10/12/10)

Donatelli Development, Committed to Accessible Housing, Becomes Newest Member of Equal Rights Center’s Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (10/6/10)

Equal Rights Center Board of Directors Welcomes Former Executive Director of American Council of the Blind – (9/22/10)

Equal Rights Center Testifies Before U.S. Commission on Civil Rights – (9/17/10)

New Report Finds Taxicabs Discriminating Against 60% of Individuals with Service Dogs – (9/1/10)

Equal Rights Center Files Discrimination Suit against Largest Private Real Estate Developer in D.C. Area – (8/31/10)

Equal Rights Center Joins With Local Governments to Help Plan Sustainable Communities – (8/20/10)

Equal Rights Center Announces New Fair Housing Program Coordinator – (8/12/10)

Equal Rights Center Names New Testing Manager – (8/5/10)

Three Washington D.C. Hilton Hotels to Increase Accessibility for People with Disabilities – (7/13/10)

Equal Rights Center Files Suit with Eye Care Centers of America for Discriminating Against People with Disabilities – (7/1/10)

Equal Rights Center and Hank’s Oyster Bar Reach Agreement to Make Restaurant More Accessible – (6/9/10)

Almost Eighty Percent of Latinos Encounter Housing Discrimination in Frederick County – (6/2/10)

Casi el ochenta por ciento de Latinos buscando Vivienda en el condado de Frederick enfrentan discriminación – (6/2/10)

The Bozzuto Group Becomes Newest Member of Equal Rights Center’s Multifamily Housing Resource Program – (5/17/10)

Equal Rights Center Encourages Department of Justice to Challenge Arizona Immigration Law – (4/29/10)

Equal Rights Center Statement on Passing of Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Dorothy Height – (4/20/10)

Equal Rights Center Welcomes New Development Manager and Special Project/Training Coordinator – (4/7/10)

Equal Rights Center and Howard University Hospitals Reach Agreement to Make Family Health Center More Accessible – (3/3/10)

Equal Rights Center and National Restaurant Chain Così Reach Agreement to Make Restaurants More Accessible – (2/24/10)

Equal Rights Center Reaches Agreement with the District of Columbia to Make the Wilson Building and District Emergency Evacuation Procedures More Accessible – (1/28/10)

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against Owners of Filene’s Basement – (1/27/10)

Equal Rights Center Fair Housing and Outreach Programs Gain Support from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – (1/21/10)

Equal Rights Center Launches Fair Housing “Empowerment” Campaign – (1/7/10)

Equal Rights Center Recent Agreement with Ellman Properties Adds to Growing Initiative to Protect Housing Choice Voucher Holders in Montgomery County – (12/14/09)

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against CVS Caremark for Discriminating Against People with Disabilities – (12/9/09)

Equal Rights Center and Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition File Suites Against Abercrombie and Fitch Co. for Discriminating Against People with Disabilities – (11/24/09)

The Equal Rights Center’s Immigrant Rights Program Receives Partnership for Equity Grant – (11/20/09)

The Equal Rights Center and Johnny Rockets Restaurants Work to Increase Accessibility for People with Disabilities – (11/10/09)

The Equal Rights Center and AvalonBay Settle Litigation and Agree to Expand Accessible Housing – (11/2/09)

The Equal Rights Center Applauds Passage of Hate Crimes Prevention Act – (10/28/09)

The Equal Rights Center Shocked by Louisiana Justice Refusal to Marry Interracial Couple – (10/16/09)

The Equal Rights Center Lauds Council member Catania’s Introduction of the Marriage Equality Amendment Act – (10/5/09)

The Equal Rights Center Taps New Communications and Outreach Manager – (10/5/09)

Equal Rights Center Marks Milestone in Housing Initiative – 25,000 Units Made Accessible – (9/14/09)

Equal Rights Center Initiative to Protect Housing Choice Voucher Holders in Montgomery County, MD Opens More Than 6,500 Apartments to Voucher Holders – (9/8/09)

Equal Rights Center and Kettler Expand Accessible Housing Opportunities in Northern Virginia – (8/24/09)

Equal Rights Center Resolves Housing Discrimination Case: 450 Housing Units to be Made Available to District’s Housing Choice Voucher Holders – (7/14/09)

Equal Rights Center Charges National Restaurant Chain Cosi – (6/18/09)

Equal Rights Center Sues Large Real Estate Company for Source of Income Discrimination in Montgomery County, MD – (5/5/09)

D.C. to hold fair housing symposium – (03/24/09)

Equal Rights Center Files Administrative Complaints Against 6 Montgomery County Properties for Source of Income Discrimination – (2/24/09)

Equal Rights Center and Dittmar Company Bring Accessible Housing to Northern Virginia – (02/02/09)

Equal Rights Center Files Suit Against National Clothing Retailer Filene’s Basement – (11/24/08)

The Equal Rights Center and Trammell Crow Residential Announce Creation of New Fair Housing Program – (11/07/08)

Equal Rights Center releases report showing 15 percent discrimination rate against Housing Choice Voucher Holders in Montgomery County, Maryland – (10/27/08)

Equal Rights Center receives $100,000 grant – (10/22/08)

Manassas School Board Joins City to Settle Civil Rights Lawsuit with Equal Rights Center – (9/24/08)

El Consejo Escolar de Manassas En Conjunto Con La Ciudad Aprueba el Acuerdo Para Resolver la Demanda de Derechos Civiles del Equal Rights Center – (9/24/08)

Manassas City Council Approves Settlement of Civil Rights Lawsuit – (9/23/08)

El Consejo de la Ciudad de Manassas llega a un Acuerdo por Demanda de Derechos Civiles – (9/23/08)

Equal Rights Center Announces: Zipcar Takes Lead In Making Services Accessible to People With Disabilities – (9/16/08)

The Equal Rights Center Names New Executive Director – (9/2/08)

Equal Rights Center Releases New Immigrant Rights Report: “10 Harmful Misconceptions About Immigration” – (8/27/08)

$14 Million WMATA Lawsuit Opens the Door for Thousands of People With Disabilities – (6/5/08)

Equal Rights Center Receives the Prestigious 2008 Alfred McKenzie Award – (6/4/08)

The Equal Rights Center Releases New Report Tying Domestic Violence to Homelessness – (4/22/08)

American Association of People with Disabilities Joins Equal Rights Center in Nationwide Suit Against Hilton Hotels Corporation – (4/15/08)

Allegations of Discrimination Lodged Against Local Restaurant – (02/12/08)

Nation’s Largest Restaurant Chain To Be More Accessible To People With Disabilities – (01/02/08)

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