Civil Rights Department Highlights Resources, Ongoing Enforcement in Fight for Fair Employment and Housing for All
April 23, 2026
For Immediate Release
publicaffairs@calcivilrights.ca.gov
916-938-4113
Since 2021, state has issued more than 2,500 notices to address discriminatory ads in housing and employment
SACRAMENTO – During National Fair Housing Month and Second Chance Month, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) today announced the launch of an updated portal for Californians to report discriminatory advertisements and highlighted recent factsheets to help ensure all Californians have a fair chance to find work or a place to call home. Since 2021, the department has issued more than 2,500 notices to housing providers and employers to address potential violations of state civil rights laws.
“April is National Fair Housing Month and Second Chance Month,” said CRD Director Kevin Kish. “This month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made — and all the work that remains ahead in the fight for civil rights. In California, we know these rights can’t exist only on paper. They require all of us working together to make them a reality. Everyone can do their part. If you see or experience discrimination, our department has important tools to help you take action for yourself and your community.”
Some Ads Stink
Under California law, employers and housing providers are generally prohibited from including discriminatory statements in job and housing advertisements, such as “No kids allowed,” “No felons,” or “No Section 8.” These types of statements can unlawfully dissuade potential tenants or job candidates from applying despite existing legal protections and exacerbate housing and employment inequities.
As part of the state’s response, CRD maintains an online portal, which was originally launched in 2021, where members of the public can report discriminatory ads. This week, the department re-launched the portal, making it even more user-friendly to encourage increased reporting. The updated portal includes new examples of potential violations, additional easy-to-understand definitions of relevant legal protections, and a streamlined interface for members of the public to input information about discriminatory ads.
In addition to reviewing reports from members of the public, CRD proactively conducts online sweeps of discriminatory ads to address potential violations and protect the rights of tenants and workers across California.
Shady Practices
Although California has strong civil rights protections, people across the state still continue to experience a wide range of violations in both employment and housing. In response, CRD conducts thousands of civil rights investigations each year, including hundreds related to fair housing and protections for workers with past arrests or convictions. However, discrimination remains widespread.
For instance, a new CRD-sponsored study from the California Health Interview Survey found that more than 1.3 million adults in California — roughly 1 in 25 — had experienced housing discrimination in the past two years. The rates were even higher for some California adults at about 1 in 7 for those using Section 8, 1 in 10 for Black Californians, and 1 in 11 for people with disabilities.
Every Tool in the Toolbox
California uses a wide range of approaches to combat discrimination and help prevent it from happening in the first place. For instance, the department recently released a new factsheet to help Californians with disabilitiesunderstand their right to ask landlords to make an exception or change to property rules to accommodate their disability and help them enjoy their housing like everyone else. These factsheets help Californians understand their rights and obligations under state civil rights laws and the department regularly updates or produces materials to reflects changes in state law. Other recent or updated factsheets include guidance for survivors of violence and their families with respect to time off from work, protections for workers with past arrests or convictions, and protections for renters against harassment by other tenants.
CRD also takes direct action, securing millions of dollars in relief and policy change for Californians every year. Earlier this year, Tehama County agreed to pay $50,000 and reform its hiring practices after a state investigation into alleged violations of the Fair Chance Act. In 2025, undercover fair housing testing led to a settlement with more than two dozen apartment complexes operated by Lyon Management Group. In 2024, CRD helped strengthen protections for workers with past arrests or convictions at major retailers like Amazon, Ikea, and Kohl’s. In 2023, the department secured a $3 million settlement to protect the rights of tenants with children.
If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination, CRD may be able to assist you through its complaint process. If you encounter an ad that appears to violate state civil rights protections in housing or employment, you can report it using the state’s discriminatory ad portal.
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The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. CRD’s mission is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state-funded programs and activities, and from hate violence and human trafficking. For more information, visit calcivilrights.ca.gov.