Written By Carlota de Almeida

Access to fair and affordable housing is essential for the stability and well-being of individuals and families. It determines access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

In New Hampshire, the Fair Housing Project at New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) works to address housing discrimination. The New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity (NHCJE) spoke with Chris Schott, Director of the Fair Housing Project, about the efforts to uphold the Fair Housing Act and the New Hampshire law against discrimination, dismantle systemic barriers, and advocate for more equitable housing policies.

Challenging Housing Discrimination

The Fair Housing Project, funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides free legal services to income-eligible residents facing housing discrimination. Whether assisting with eviction defense or pursuing affirmative cases to challenge discriminatory policies, Schott and his team ensure that vulnerable populations have a voice in defending their rights.

“Under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination, tenants, homebuyers, and housing applicants are protected from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, familial status, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity,” explained Schott. “Essentially, everyone in the U.S., falls into at least one of these protected classes.”

“Under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination, tenants, homebuyers, and housing applicants are protected from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, familial status, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity.”

— Chris Schott

The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to end segregation, foster integration, and outlaw historical racist practices like redlining. However, despite legal provisions, certain communities continue to face limited opportunities and the legacy of disinvestment.

“Redlining led to the stratification of communities within the United States in a lot of urban areas,” said Schott. “In New Hampshire, redlining targeted immigrant populations like Greek and Polish communities in Manchester. Even though those policies no longer exist, their legacy continues to shape housing disparities.”

“Redlining led to the stratification of communities within the United States in a lot of urban areas. . . Even though those policies no longer exist, their legacy continues to shape housing disparities.”

— Chris Schott

Identifying Bias in Housing Practices

The Fair Housing Project identifies two ways in which discrimination can manifest. “There’s disparate treatment, where someone is intentionally treated unfairly due to their membership in a protected group, and disparate impact, where seemingly neutral policies disproportionately affect people,” explained Schott. For example, certain income-based requirements or language barriers can unintentionally exclude certain demographics.

Barriers to Fair and Affordable Housing

Housing Choice Vouchers, commonly known as Section 8 vouchers, are a lifeline for low-income individuals and families to access affordable housing and the opportunities it brings. However, they are often the target of disparate treatment. The current fair housing laws in New Hampshire do not prohibit landlords from refusing to accept tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers.

“Policies that impact Section 8 vouchers, disproportionately impact the groups who use them,” said Schott. “While some landlords refuse vouchers outright, others impose additional requirements, such as high-income thresholds, effectively excluding voucher holders and limiting access to housing.” In New Hampshire, seniors and people with disabilities are the most likely to rely on subsidized housing.

“Policies that impact Section 8 vouchers, disproportionately impact the groups who use them.”

— Chris Schott

The lengthy waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers are compounded by the shortage of affordable housing units and resistance to low-income housing developments in suburban areas. In addition, the expiration of tax credit agreements poses another challenge for low-income families and individuals. Many affordable housing units in New Hampshire operate under 30-year agreements administered by New Hampshire Housing, funded through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). “A significant number of these agreements, established in the 1980s and 1990s, are now approaching renewal,” highlighted Schott. “While many property owners choose to extend their agreements, some opt out in favor of market-rate pricing, leading to sudden rent increases that can displace tenants.”

This is especially concerning for voucher holders, as these properties are among the few in the state required by federal law to accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Without legislation to regulate price increases following tax credit expirations, tenants in these properties face uncertainty.

The Path Forward for a Fairer New Hampshire

The work of NHLA underscores the importance of fair housing in building stronger, more inclusive communities. “The Fair Housing Act is about more than legal protections,” Schott says. “It’s about ensuring every person has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background or circumstances.” Discrimination in housing doesn’t just limit where someone lives; it impacts access to education, employment, healthcare, and overall quality of life.

“The Fair Housing Act is about more than legal protections. It’s about ensuring every person has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background or circumstances.”

— Chris Schott

Addressing these barriers requires ongoing vigilance, collaboration, and investment. Schott emphasizes the need for increased funding for public housing authorities to expand housing vouchers and resources for organizations like NHLA to continue uncovering and challenging discriminatory practices. Additionally, outreach programs and community education are vital to ensuring that all Granite Staters understand their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. By taking these steps, New Hampshire can move closer to a future where every resident has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

About Chris Schott

Chris became Director of the Fair Housing Project in 2023. He first joined NHLA as an intern in 2017 and became a Staff Attorney in the Portsmouth office in 2018 representing victims of domestic violence in protective order hearings and other family law cases. Chris advocates for tenants facing discriminatory evictions and in seeking affirmative relief from discrimination. He also works to educate partners and the public on fair housing matters. He believes that everyone deserves to live their lives where they want, free of any discrimination, and to that end fair housing is crucial. He is based in the Manchester office.