New Radio & Print PSAs Launched to Combat Housing Discrimination Against Asian Americans

New fair housing public service advertisements (PSAs) in more than ten Asian languages will begin appearing on radio stations and in newspapers across the country this week. Developed by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF), the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the ads are designed to increase recognition and reporting of housing discrimination among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

“Unfortunately, housing discrimination is still a pervasive problem in America,” said Karen McGill Lawson, LCCREF executive director. “HUD estimates that one in five Asian Americans face housing discrimination. We hope this campaign sends a clear signal to those who discriminate, but more importantly, we want victims of discrimination to know that there is something they can do about it.”

These new Asian language ads are the latest in an award-winning series of fair housing PSAs. Two radio spots, “Phone Conversation” and “Do You Know Me,” were produced in Vietnamese, Cantonese, Hmong and Korean. The print ad, “Will the Apartment Still Be Available When They Hear My Accent?” was designed in Arabic, Bengali, Cambodian, Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Punjabi, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese. Both print and radio PSAs feature the tagline, “Fair Housing. It’s not an option. It’s the law.” and direct audiences to call HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visit www.fairhousinglaw.org if they think that the have been victims of or witness to housing discrimination.

“Access to fair housing continues to be a major struggle for many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” said Lisa Hasegawa, executive director of the National CAPACD. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders often encounter housing discrimination as well as cultural and language barriers to accessing to housing counseling services. National CAPACD is proud to partner with LCCREF and NFHA on this groundbreaking initiative.”

The Federal Fair Housing Act grants everyone the legal right to live where they choose and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and family status. HUD estimates that at least 2 million Americans are discriminated against each year while looking to rent or purchase a property, apply for a loan, appraisal or insurance.

“Data show that while Asian Americans are as likely as African Americans to be victims of housing discrimination and even more likely than Hispanic Americans to face discrimination, they are among the least likely to report it. These ads will be an invaluable resource to promote fair housing and equal opportunity,” said Shanna Smith, President and CEO of NFHA. “NFHA is thrilled to be part of a campaign that is sure to reach the AAPI community nationwide and provide important information to combat illegal discrimination.”

To view or listen to the new PSAs, visit www.fairhousinglaw.org/the_campain. To obtain a copy of the PSAs for print or radio reproduction, please contact Lisa Haywood at (202) 466-3434.

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund website
National Fair Housing Alliance website
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development website
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website