Fair housing staff report few formal complaints, urge residents to use city resources and outreach channels

City of Lorraine fair‑housing staff reported to the Housing and Planning Commission on July 17 that the department received roughly three phone complaints and two emails this reporting period alleging unfair landlord conduct but that in several cases callers declined to authorize staff to contact the landlord.

"I track, for instance, if they give the landlord's name or address, I track those just in case," said fair‑housing staff, who described maintaining a list of landlord names and addresses to support future outreach and testing. Staff told commissioners that when callers do not consent to staff contact, many callers appear to want to "vent" or report an issue without pursuing a formal investigation.

Staff reminded commissioners and residents that fair‑housing information and escrow guidance are posted on the city website and encouraged advocates and commissioners to share the materials at community events. They said outreach plans include participation in the Lorraine Better Black event and coordination with a research center to develop billboard and other public‑information efforts.

Commissioners asked whether the department keeps informal counts of landlords mentioned by callers; staff said they do. Staff also said they will forward names to enforcement partners and to the Fair Housing outreach program for testing and landlord engagement when permission and the facts of a complaint permit.

No formal enforcement actions or policy changes were announced at the meeting. Staff asked commissioners and community partners to help publicize fair‑housing resources and to notify the office of potential outreach opportunities.