Monroe County Legal Assistance Corp (MCLAC), with the City of Rochester (and HUD), has worked with the Ad Council beginning in 1999. Before the inception of the Fair Housing program, there was literally no remedial action that people who had faced discrimination in our communtiy could take. Hence, there was a sense of “hopelessness and helplessness” among those that faced discrimination. This project not only won financial support to provide remedial support but turned to the Ad Council to help spread the word that now there was something that could be done.

Program Goal

This Program addressed reducing/elimination of housing discrimination in Monroe County through education, testing and enforcement of the fair housing laws. The key message is that housing discrimination is against the law and that help is available. The call to action is to report suspected discrimination to FHEP when it occurs.

Outcomes

This project saw a steady increase in the use of services over the years:

• Number of calls for help (1,500)-35% increase in one year.
• 50% increase in the number of cases that were opened (33 in 2003, 22 in 2002).
• Three cases were filed in federal court on behalf of 5 plaintiffs between 2003 & early 2004 – 19 cases from 1998 to 2004 with 9 plaintiffs’ cases settled for total recovery of $209,000.

Volunteer Team

Infantino McDermott

Winner of the Ad Council of Rochester’s 2004 W.B. Potter Founder’s Award