It is the policy of the City of Alexandria to assure all persons equal opportunity in and access to the areas of housing, employment, city contracts, health and social services, public accommodations, credit, and education, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, family status, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
The Alexandria City Council created the Human Rights Commission by ordinance in March of 1975 to recommend the policies and goals of the City to advance human rights. There are fourteen (14) members appointed by the Alexandria City Council: nine (9) are citizens-at-large, and five (5) are representatives of the Commission for Women, the Landlord-Tenant Relations Board, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Economic Opportunities Commission, and the Commission on Aging.
The Office of Human Rights, also created by ordinance, is empowered to receive, investigate, mediate, and conciliate complaints of discrimination. The Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reasonable accommodation is made for the elderly and disabled.
It is unlawful for anyone, on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, family status, age, disability, or sexual orientation to discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental of housing or commercial real estate, or in the provision of services or facilities; to make, print, or publish preferential or discriminatory material; to indicate that housing or commercial real estate is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when it is available; to engage in panic selling or blockbusting; or to deny a loan to purchase, construct, improve, repair, or maintain housing or commercial real estate.
Employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations may not discriminate with respect to hiring, tenure, compensation, promotion, discharge or other conditions related to employment because of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or disability, when such a person is a qualified disabled person. The Office of Human Rights works under contract with the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate complaints filed with the federal government that allege discrimination within City limits.
Individuals and firms conducting business with the City of Alexandria must not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, or disability, when such a person is a qualified disabled person. Contractors must implement an affirmative action employment program, include in all solicitations or advertisements that they are equal opportunity employers, and make reasonable accommodation to the disability of an employee or applicant for employment.
A health or social service agency cannot discriminate against any person by refusing, denying, or withholding services, programs, benefits, facilities, or privileges; in the setting of rates or charges; or by communicating, or representing that, services or programs are withheld or denied because of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Restaurants, recreation facilities, transportation facilities, and other business and professional organizations open to the general public cannot discriminate against any person, because of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age or disability, or sexual orientation, regarding the access to, or the enjoyment of, goods, services, facilities, privileges, or any other advantages of any public accommodation.
A lending institution, such as a bank, insurance company, or savings and loan association, or other institution that furnishes consumer credit, may not discriminate against any person in the furnishing of credit or credit-related services, because of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or sexual orientation, provided that the person is otherwise qualified for credit or credit-related services.
Discrimination is prohibited by private educational institutions at all levels on the basis of race, color, sex, ancestry, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation, with respect to the terms, conditions, accommodations, advantages, facilities, benefits, privileges, or services of the institution.
Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in the City of Alexandria may file a complaint with the Office of Human Rights within 300 days (365 days for housing complaints) of the occurrence of the action viewed as discriminatory. The person does not need to be a resident of the City, but the alleged discrimination must have taken place within City limits.
An employer cannot retaliate against a person making a complaint, or cooperating or participating in any investigation, either while the complaint is pending or after its final disposition.
The Human Rights Commission and Office of Human Rights provide technical assistance to employers, landlords, realtors, and educators in the areas of diversity/affirmative action, personnel policies and procedures, rental policies and practices, and training in areas such as sexual harassment and EEO laws.
For more information or to file a complaint contact:
The Alexandria Office of Human Rights
110 N. Royal Street, Suite 201
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 838-6390
TTD (703) 838-6390Office hours:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday - Friday
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