In-person - Ann Arbor
Register here
Housing Advocates Training (HAT) is a training designed to help social service professionals/advocates gain a working knowledge of fair housing law, landlord/tenant law, and housing subsidy programs.
Trainers include staff and attorneys from the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, the Michigan Poverty Law Program, and Legal Services of South Central Michigan. Please bring your questions and cases; discussion is welcome. Registration is required.
(Please note this training is for housing advocates and, in some cases, non-profit housing providers. Our Board does not allow us to provide training to those in the for-profit housing industry. Questions? Contact Kristen at kcuhran@fhcmichigan.org)
Topics covered include:
How to recognize signs of housing discrimination
How to advocate for clients experiencing housing discrimination
The services offered by fair housing organizations
The basis of the landlord/tenant relationship
How to advocate for clients in need of housing repairs
How the eviction process works
How to advocate for clients in an eviction or lockout
The services offered by Legal Services programs
The basic characteristics of housing subsidy programs
The rights and responsibilities of tenants in subsidized housing programs
Public Benefits Training (PBT)
PBT is an optional 2-hour training offered in conjunction with HAT that focuses on the Department of Human Services’ most popular programs, including cash assistance, food assistance, state disability assistance, and Medicaid. There is also a brief overview of Social Security programs, including SSI, RSDI, and Medicare. The session includes explanations of these programs, including covered services, eligibility requirements, and advocacy strategies.
Training Schedule
Housing Advocates Training (HAT)
Tuesday, February 27: 9 am - 5 pm (lunch is provided)
Public Benefits Training (PBT)
Wednesday, February 28: 10 - 12 pm (optional event)
$63.00 online ($60.00 via check) before February 16.
$78.00 online ($75.00 via check) after February 16.
Checks can be made out to the Fair Housing Center, with HAT in the memo line, and mailed to The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, P.O. Box 7825, Ann Arbor, MI 48107.
If you need an invoice, please get in touch with Kristen at kcuhran@fhcmichigan.org or 877-979-3247.
Please note: You can pay for multiple people at once. However, we require full names, pronouns, organization mailing addresses, and email addresses for each individual, which you can submit in the checkout process or by email.
HAT +
Housing Advocates Training PLUS (HAT+) is a deeper dive into practical fair housing, landlord/tenant advocacy, and current and historical housing policy issues that impact the people we serve. Designed for those who have participated in the original Housing Advocates Training within the past three years, HAT+ attendees will work through realistic advocacy scenarios, hear from local, state, and federal housing experts, and have the opportunity to “troubleshoot” real-world client and agency challenges. Trainers may include representatives from the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Michigan Poverty Law Program, University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and the Washtenaw Housing Alliance.