Faculty - Led Course | All Levels

HO213wk: Fair Housing - What Professionals Need to Know

This course provides housing professionals with a comprehensive understanding of fair housing laws and their practical application. You will explore the Federal Fair Housing Act and related state and local regulations, learning how to identify and address discriminatory practices in housing, lending, and insurance. Through case studies and interactive exercises, you’ll gain the tools to support clients, ensure compliance, and design inclusive programs. By the end, you’ll be equipped to recognize violations, implement fair housing strategies, and advocate effectively for equitable housing access.

What You'll Learn

  • Communicate fair housing rights, support clients facing discrimination, collaborate with advocacy and legal partners, and promote inclusive practices through housing education, counseling, and service design
  • Understand the Fair Housing Act, protected classes, enforcement agencies, and legal frameworks for violations, including redlining, discriminatory lending, and disability compliance, and can apply this knowledge to identify and address potential fair housing issues in real housing scenarios
  • Develop skills to design compliant marketing, evaluate organizational practices, adapt programs and services, and facilitate discussions that support equitable housing access while meeting federal, state, and local fair housing requirements.

Live Session Schedule

Day 1:

Monday, September 21, 2026 | 1:30pm EST

Come Prepared for the Course

Welcome to this one week faculty-led course which is designed for optimal interactivity and engagement. Day 1 is comprised of a total of 90 minutes of live online instruction. Days 2 through 5 are dedicated to self-paced completion of all activities and assignments. All required coursework is due by 11:59 p.m. PT on the designated day of class.

Pre-Work & Preparation

Pre-Work & Preparation

Complete all pre-work by provided deadlines

Active Participation

Active Participation

Attend live sessions and engage in collaborative activities

Software Requirements

Software Requirements

Microsoft Excel and Zoom proficiency required

Hardware Setup

Hardware Setup

Dual monitors, webcam and file management capabilities

Your Instructor

Mahria Harris

Mahria Harris

Staff Member | NeighborWorks

Mahria E. Harris has over 20 years of experience in homeownership counseling and education. Mahria lives in Cleveland, Ohio where she began her career in community development with a small non-profit, Neighborhood Progress. In 2004 she joined Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland, a NeighborWorks Network Organization and in August of 2019 she joined the NeighborWorks America team to become Sr. Manager of Curriculum & Training for NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC). Mahria currently manages a portfolio of over 30 facilitators, and oversees the delivery and development of curriculum educating on topics of how to buy, fix and keep a home as well as residential lending.

What Learners Are Saying

"This course gave me exactly what I needed to get started in housing counseling. The practical tools and real-world examples made it easy to apply what I learned immediately with my clients."

Maria Rodriguez

Housing Counselor, Urban CDC

"As someone transitioning from social work into housing counseling, this course provided the perfect foundation. The content was incredibly relevant to my daily work."

David Chen

Community Development Specialist

"The instructor's expertise really shines through in every module. I appreciated the balance of theory and practical application."

Sarah Johnson

Housing Program Manager

Fair Housing Fundamentals Micro-Credential

Fair Housing Fundamentals Micro-Credential

The Foundations of Fair Housing Micro‑Credential recognizes learners who can interpret housing laws, apply compliance standards, and advocate for equitable and inclusive housing practices. Participants gain practical skills in recognizing discrimination, reviewing documentation, resolving conflicts, and connecting residents with fair housing resources. This credential demonstrates readiness to promote transparency, uphold legal and ethical standards, and support positive housing outcomes across diverse communities.

Courses needed to earn this credential:

  • HO213 Fair Housing: What Professionals Need to Know (in-person or faculty-led)
  • HO234 Pathways to Sustainable Homeownership: Creating Opportunities and Building Financial Security (in-person)
  • HO060wt Supportive Housing Services & Resources for Veterans (Interactive webinar training)
Learn More

Ready to Get Started?

Join hundreds of housing professionals building the skills to create lasting community impact

$295
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