CREATING STRONGER, DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MADE EQUAL IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE VALUE OF DIVERSITY AND TO ENSURE ALL PEOPLE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES OF THEIR CHOICE—THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, THE ENFORCEMENT OF FAIR HOUSING LAWS AND THE CREATION OF HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES.

Housing Opportunities Made Equal was founded in 1963 by clergy and laity from the Buffalo Area Council of Churches concerned about pervasive discrimination in the Buffalo-Niagara housing market. An all-volunteer organization until 1974, today HOME--with a small professional staff--has nearly 400 dues-paying members throughout Western New York.

The Need for HOME

HOME is the only agency in Western New York providing comprehensive services for victims of housing discrimination. These services include recording and investigation of reported incidents of discrimination, paralegal counseling, client advocacy to conciliate validated complaints, case preparation for legal action, and emotional support for victims and their families.

In addition, HOME:

• conducts community education about fair housing in an effort to prevent discrimination
• provides technical assistance to government, service and housing providers
• provides paralegal counseling for landlords and tenants to help resolve housing disputes
• offers housing and human service information and referral
• provides mobility counseling and a range of specialized home finder and support services through its operation of the Greater Buffalo Community Housing Center.