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Fair Housing Foundation briefs committee on discrimination investigations, outreach goals
Summary
Stella Van Porppel told Fullerton’s Community Development Citizens Committee the Fair Housing Foundation proposes to serve 210 unduplicated clients in FY26–27 with discrimination investigations, tenant–landlord counseling and multilingual outreach; the foundation emphasized education and referrals to pro-bono attorneys when litigation is needed.
Stella Van Porppel, executive director of the Fair Housing Foundation, told the Community Development Citizens Committee on March 10 that the nonprofit plans to expand fair housing services in Fullerton in fiscal year 2026–27.
Van Porppel said the foundation’s program will include four core components: discrimination investigation and resolution (a dedicated three-person team), tenant and landlord counseling (four counselors on a hotline), education and outreach, and affirmative furthering fair housing work for the city. “Our mission…is dedicated to eliminating discrimination in housing and promoting access to housing choices for everyone,” she said.
The foundation proposed serving 210 unduplicated clients—16 fair-housing inquiries and 194 landlord–tenant counseling contacts—along with outreach targets such as two booths at events, eight agency meetings, two in-person and two virtual workshops, and distribution of 5,000 informational pieces. Van Porppel said the group offers interpreter services in more than 200 languages and operates two regional offices with walk-in and appointment options.
Committee members asked about the foundation’s online “InstaChat” triage feature and how often it yields formal discrimination cases; Van Porppel estimated about 5–6% of chats escalate to the fair-housing team and are reviewed for potential investigation. When Chair Hansel raised current reports about housing authorities asking about immigration status and asked whether that practice would amount to discrimination, Van Porppel replied the foundation follows the Fair Housing Act and avoids immigration-status inquiries, and will refer matters to attorneys or civil-rights departments when appropriate.
The foundation said it favors education over immediate litigation but will refer clients to fair-housing attorneys when mediation fails. Van Porppel also confirmed the organization provides monthly and quarterly reporting support to municipalities when requested.
The committee did not make a funding decision at the March 10 meeting; the presentation and follow-up questions will inform members’ allocation deliberations in May.
