November 2026 - Holidays, Housing & Happenings!
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Welcome Note
The Holidays are usually a time to spread cheer both near and far. When we say ‘far’ we mean it, with 15 counties to cover that is over 200+ miles to share information across. The Holiday season can also present some unique challenges when it comes to fair housing complaints too. In this month’s edition of the newsletter we are giving you a big overview of what to be on the look out for with Holidays, Housing and Happenings.
Holidays, Housing & Happenings!
Did You Know…
That the Fair Housing Act (FHA) can have unique applications during the Holiday season and usually is impacted by Holiday decor.
In a 1995 memorandum released by the U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has addressed the intersection of Fair Housing and Holiday Decorations saying “The use of secularized terms or symbols relating to religious holidays such as Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or St.Valentine’s Day images, or phrases such as Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, or the like does not constitute a violation of the Act.”
Housing Providers actually can pose regulations that affect what decoration can be put up in the property.
So What Does It All Mean?
One of the protected classes under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is Religion. Meaning that someone cannot be discriminated against based on what religion they follow. This class is typically most impacted during the Holiday season.
We all know of popular holiday phrases and expressions during the holiday season but that does not mean that such use is inherently discriminatory. While Housing providers may use signage or decoration that appear to be based in one religious practice over another much of these instances can create unintentional preferences. Definitely something to consider if you are a Housing Provider reading this.
The baseline is calling for equal treatment. One type of decoration cannot be allowed over another. Housing providers have a duty to provide a safe and equal opportunity for housing.
This might surprise you but YES housing providers can pose rules and regulations that affect what goes on inside the property. While it may not be decoration specific they can make rules for safety purposes like not to hang items from the ceiling as it poses a fire risk.
What Can We Do?
At the end of the day, equal treatment and understanding is the goal. Use this as a guide for navigating that you as a tenant or as a housing provider are doing your part to ensure a community free from bias.
Stay up to date with helpful information and more posted on our Instagram @FloridaLegalServices. Tune in for weekly Knowledge Checks, Highlight Reels, and Info you should know!
If you or someone you know is experiencing housing discrimination based on Religion know that is a violation of the Fair Housing Act and we can help! Call our Fair Housing line at 407-801- 4224 or 850-680-1729 for assistance in Spanish.
Want to help your community be informed of their rights? We offer FREE educational presentations that can be given at community centers near you! Email: fairhousing@floridalegal.org
Fair Housing Social Media ‘Join Jacqueline’ Series
Ever wonder what a day in the life of working in outreach looks like? Tune in with our Outreach Paralegal Jacqueline as she takes you on the road with her to meet with communities all over the state of Florida. There is so much more than just tabling and sharing information at these events. Be sure to check it out on our instagram!
Outreach Calendar
Looking for a chance to get information in person? Want to add us to your event. See our monthly outreach for October below!
Please note our offices will be closed on the following dates this month:
November 3rd - Election Day
November 11th - Veterans Day
November 26th to 27th - Thanksgiving
Above are outreach events that have been confirmed as of publishing this newsletter but we are always looking for ways to connect with the community and add to our outreach calendar. If you are hosting an event or would like to see us table email us fairhousing@floridalegal.org
Our outreach team was busy once again on the road all over Florida! Enjoy some highlights below:
Connecting through Conversation & Dance
In early October we conducted outreach at the Family Wellness and Resource Fair hosted by Promise and Purpose Foundation at the Eastside Community Center in Gainesville. There we helped inform attendees about their rights under the Fair Housing Act and other projects at Florida Legal Services. The event ended with a dance party with all the attendees and vendors busting a move on the dance floor. Be sure to “Join Jacqueline” on our instagram.
It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A
Your outreach team took to not one but two YMCAs in the Orlando area to attend their Senior Health Day Events. Seniors are a community impacted largely by a need for reasonable accommodations in housing to improve accessibility like ramps or bars for example. Some Seniors may also be landlords/ housing providers themselves and we were able to provide them with additional information as well.
Learning to Read in Crescent City
Reading is not only a way to absorb information but can open the imagination to creativity and wonder. In Crescent City our Outreach Paralegal and Project Manager gave a bilingual presentation on Fair Housing and our project at FLS. We are grateful for our continued partnership with Learn to Read.
Falling for more Outreach in Flagler
We tabled at Flagler County’s Fall Outreach Event in late October. Here residents of Flagler county were able to meet with resources available to them at a lively in person event. Our outreach paralegal gives you another opportunity at a behind the scenes look of what outreach looks like for the Fair Housing Project here at FLS.
Eviction Prevention Helpline - CALL: 888-780-0443
This helpline supports tenants, in the counties above, facing eviction or other housing-related challenges. Our operators are available to take calls about landlord-tenant disputes, housing authority voucher issues, and other housing concerns impacting low-income renters. Callers will be connected with an attorney who can provide legal advice over the phone and, in some cases, direct legal representation. Call us today to get the help you need!
The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects you from discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. This applies to renting, buying, mortgages, appraisals, insurance, and looking for a place to live.
IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
407-801- 4224 (English)
850-680-1729 (Spanish)
fairhousing@floridalegal.org
www.floridalegal.org/fairhousing
IF YOU ARE FACING EVICTION CONCERNS PLEASE CONTACT OUR EVICTION PREVENTION TEAM AT:
888-780-0443 (English and Spanish)
www.floridalegal.org/evictionprevention
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.