Events & Training

Fair Housing & American Sign Language (ASL) Requirements

April 25, 2025 (Friday) 10-11 am

This training is intended to address the needs of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community, and housing providers that interact with those who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing and needs to adopt policies and procedures regarding reasonable accommodation and modification requirements as to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing housing occupants and guests.

This training will explore the requirements and standards under the FHA, the Michigan PWDCRA, Section 504, and the ADA (including pertinent ADA regulations).

There is no charge for this training as it is being sponsored by a generous grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). If you have questions, or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Steve Tomkowiak, Executive Director.

Michigan's New Source of Income Protections

May 13, 2025 (Tuesday) 10-11 am

This webinar will address Michigan’s new Source of Income (SOI) requirements, both as to fair housing and landlord-tenant laws. The Center receives many SOI complaints and questions. This webinar will seek to provide concrete, specific answers to these questions. This training will provide specific guidance for not only tenants, but landlord, management companies, public housing agencies, and others who are involved in Section 8 and other rental assistance programs.     

There is no charge for this training as it is being sponsored by a generous grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). If you have questions, or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Steve Tomkowiak, Executive Director.

Tester Training

May 31, 2025 (Saturday) 10 am to Noon

One important way in which you may help make fair housing a reality in the Metropolitan Detroit area is by becoming a tester.

What is Testing?

Testing is a term that refers to a process of checking the housing market to determine the treatment accorded to different homeseekers. Two individuals, alike in every respect except the variable being tested, are sent to the same rental, sales, or mortgage lending office. Testers take careful notes of what transpires. Differences in treatment often form the basis for the successful resolution of a fair housing complaint.

What is a Tester?

As a tester, you play the role of a home seeker–-a person who is looking for a home in which to live. Testers must be objective, careful observers and reporters of what transpires as they seek housing.

Why Testing?

The testing process has been consistently supported by the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts as a legitimate, necessary, and often, the only method available to identify practices of unlawful housing discrimination. The reports and testimony by testers are accepted by courts as evidence of discriminatory conduct.

Where do I find out more?

All testers are required to complete a two-hour training course. The training takes place usually on a Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and are provided free of charge.

For more information about becoming a tester, please register for the tester training course. If you have additional questions or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Engela Bertolini, Coordinator of Systemic Investigations and Testing, or call the Fair Housing Center at 313-579-FAIR (3247).

Fair Housing Compliance Check (Policies & Practices) for Fair Housing Providers

June 10, 2025 (Tuesday) 10-11 am

This training is directed at housing providers (owners, management companies, and others involved in the ownership and operation of housing). What are the key fair housing points and requirements housing providers need to know to ensure fair housing compliance? What are the new requirements or developments in fair housing policies and best practices? Come and get a compliance check at this webinar. 

There is no charge for this training as it is being sponsored by a generous grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). If you have questions, or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Steve Tomkowiak, Executive Director.

Fair Housing & Caregivers

July 15, 2025 (Tuesday) 10-11 am

 It is estimated that approximately 55 million people at any given time are serving as caregivers and that this number is increasing. In the overwhelming percentage of instances, caregivers are serving people who have one or more disabilities. Unfortunately, caregivers and the people they serve are often victims of discriminatory treatment and are unaware of their rights to seek housing accommodations. This webinar will address the unique fair housing needs of caregivers.



There is no charge for this training as it is being sponsored by a generous grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). If you have questions, or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Steve Tomkowiak, Executive Director.

Tester Training

August 23, 2025 (Saturday) 10 am to Noon

One important way in which you may help make fair housing a reality in the Metropolitan Detroit area is by becoming a tester.

What is Testing?

Testing is a term that refers to a process of checking the housing market to determine the treatment accorded to different homeseekers. Two individuals, alike in every respect except the variable being tested, are sent to the same rental, sales, or mortgage lending office. Testers take careful notes of what transpires. Differences in treatment often form the basis for the successful resolution of a fair housing complaint.

What is a Tester?

As a tester, you play the role of a home seeker–-a person who is looking for a home in which to live. Testers must be objective, careful observers and reporters of what transpires as they seek housing.

Why Testing?

The testing process has been consistently supported by the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts as a legitimate, necessary, and often, the only method available to identify practices of unlawful housing discrimination. The reports and testimony by testers are accepted by courts as evidence of discriminatory conduct.

Where do I find out more?

All testers are required to complete a two-hour training course. The training takes place usually on a Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and are provided free of charge.

For more information about becoming a tester, please register for the tester training course. If you have additional questions or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Engela Bertolini, Coordinator of Systemic Investigations and Testing, or call the Fair Housing Center at 313-579-FAIR (3247).

Maintenance & Fair Housing

August 26, 2025 (Tuesday) 10-11 am

This training is intended to address the needs of the disabled community, who often face hardships and are forced out of housing because their units and common areas (such as elevators) are not maintained. Are caregivers entitled to fair housing protections? What record checks may be conducted of caregivers? What charges can be imposed, if any, against caregivers?

This training will arm caregivers and the people they serve with the tools to remain in housing that is not only habitable but meets all fair housing requirements.

There is no charge for this training as it is being sponsored by a generous grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). If you have questions, or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Steve Tomkowiak, Executive Director.

Tester Training

November 15, 2025 (Friday) 10 am to Noon

One important way in which you may help make fair housing a reality in the Metropolitan Detroit area is by becoming a tester.

What is Testing?

Testing is a term that refers to a process of checking the housing market to determine the treatment accorded to different homeseekers. Two individuals, alike in every respect except the variable being tested, are sent to the same rental, sales, or mortgage lending office. Testers take careful notes of what transpires. Differences in treatment often form the basis for the successful resolution of a fair housing complaint.

What is a Tester?

As a tester, you play the role of a home seeker–-a person who is looking for a home in which to live. Testers must be objective, careful observers and reporters of what transpires as they seek housing.

Why Testing?

The testing process has been consistently supported by the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts as a legitimate, necessary, and often, the only method available to identify practices of unlawful housing discrimination. The reports and testimony by testers are accepted by courts as evidence of discriminatory conduct.

Where do I find out more?

All testers are required to complete a two-hour training course. The training takes place usually on a Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and are provided free of charge.

For more information about becoming a tester, please register for the tester training course. If you have additional questions or require an accommodation due to a disability, please send an email to Engela Bertolini, Coordinator of Systemic Investigations and Testing, or call the Fair Housing Center at 313-579-FAIR (3247).

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