The Human Relations Council (HRC) is responsible for the civil rights enforcement of anti-discrimination ordinances outlined in the City of Dayton’s Revised Code of General Ordinances (R.C.G.O) 32.02-32.21 and 32.99. These ordinances protect our residents and visitors from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit transactions on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

To carry out its mission, the Human Relations Council has established the HRC Office of Justice and Inclusion to enforce the anti-discrimination ordinances in the City of Dayton. The Office of Justice and Inclusion is staffed by the Justice Administrator and two Equal Opportunity Specialists.  The Council has broad authority to award damages, impose penalties and fines, mandate training and policy changes, and grant injunctive or equitable relief to ensure equity and fairness for all in our community.

Complaints

Complaints are accepted and investigated from individuals alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. There is NO COST to file a complaint. The discrimination must occur within the territorial limits of the City of Dayton. If the complaint is outside of our jurisdiction, the HRC will provide a referral to the appropriate agency. Download our complainant brochure here.

If you believe that you have been the victim of discrimination, please fill out this HRC Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form.

Employment

The City of Dayton’s anti-discrimination ordinances prohibit discrimination in employment. Our jurisdiction applies to employers located within the City of Dayton with four (4) or more employees.

You can review our employment discrimination ordinances here.

Fair Housing

The HRC is certified as a substantially equivalent agency with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This means that HUD has determined that the City of Dayton enforces a law that provides substantive rights, procedures, remedies and judicial review provisions that are substantially equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act.

You can review our fair housing ordinances here.

Public Accommodations

The City of Dayton’s ordinances prohibit discrimination in the area of public accommodations. This applies to the owner of any business or place of public accommodation as well as any agent representing the establishment. The City prides itself on being a place all residents and visitors can enjoy freely without being subject to discrimination.

You can review our public accommodations ordinances here.

Credit Transactions

While the Fair Housing Act addresses fair lending and credit transactions related to mortgages, the City’s ordinances prohibit discrimination in any credit transaction. The ordinance does not bar a creditor from reviewing an application for credit on the basis of established criteria as long as it is not discriminatory.

You can review our credit discrimination ordinances here.

Language Access

The City of Dayton works to provide meaningful access to its services for those with limited English proficiency. Your comments on this form will help us towards that goal. Click here for our  language access complaint form.