Michigan State Law

All states have to follow the federal Fair Housing Act, which doesn’t allow for discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, having children, or having a disability. It is the minimum level of protections against discrimination in housing. States and local governments can create more protections to prevent discrimination in housing.

Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act

The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1977, is the Michigan law that makes it illegal to discriminate in housing based on your age or marital status.

LGBTQ Michiganders

In 2018, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission issued an interpretive guideline that “sex” should be considered to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The Commission will process complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. But, at this time, the Elliott-Larsen Act does not include sexual orientation or gender identity. This means that should a case of sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination go to court, it likely will not be heard by the judge and the housing provider would win. There is currently a proposed amendment to include these protections, and some county or city ordinances currently include them.