Housing discrimination claims surge

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Housing discrimination claims soared 30 percent in 1996, a rise that housing advocates attribute largely to greater resources available to victims of discrimination.

African-Americans continue to face the highest level of discrimination in renting, selling and insuring property, according to the National Fair Housing Alliance. People with disabilities filed the second-highest number of claims followed by families with children and Hispanics.

The alliance, an umbrella organization for fair housing, civil rights and housing advocacy groups, compiled into one report -- for the first time -- housing discrimination numbers from the Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development, state agencies and nonprofit groups.

The "face of rental discrimination today," is "not slamming the door in your face; it's not calling you names. It's being very nice and lying to you," said Shanna Smith, executive director of the alliance.

Related sites:

• Housing Resources
• National Fair Housing Advocate Web Site

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