Attorney Fees in Fair Housing Cases - A Necessary and Critical Factor in Ensuring that Victims Receive Effective Service by Qualified and Fully Compensated Legal Counsel

Webinar - September 15, 2026 (Tuesday) 1 pm

Congressional policy favors private enforcement of civil rights acts and mandates a liberal construction of attorney's fee statutes. Texas State Teachers Association v. Garland Independent School Dist., 489 U.S. 782 (1989). The eradication of housing discrimination is a policy that Congress considered to be "of the highest priority". Trafficante v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 409 U.S. 205, 211 (1972). This training will address, among other topics, the availably of attorney fees under federal and state civil rights statutes pertaining to housing discrimination claims; the various standards for awarding attorney fees for plaintiffs, defendants, complainants, and respondents in state and administrative proceedings; and the "lodestar" and "Laffey Matrix" approaches for quantifying the attorney fee award. Significant time will also be made available for participating who have questions regarding fair housing cases and attorney fee awards. 

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 email us at info@fairhousingdetroit.org.

Tester Training

September 18, 2026 (Friday) 10 am - 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 or Takiyah Marquez or call the Fair Housing Center at 313-579-FAIR (3247).

Tester Training

December 11, 2026 (Friday) 10 am - 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 or Takiyah Marquez or call the Fair Housing Center at 313-579-FAIR (3247).

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