Join the Fight Against Housing Discrimination! Volunteers Wanted for Northern Nevada!

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Housing discrimination hurts. Refusing housing to someone, or treating them differently, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, family status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression is illegal. Any individual act of housing discrimination diminishes our community as a whole. You can help uncover illegal housing discrimination by joining Silver State Fair Housing Council as a volunteer housing discrimination tester.

Housing discrimination testing monitors the housing market. Housing discrimination testers are anonymous individuals from our community who are trained to gather information about housing practices by assuming the role of prospective home seekers and reporting on their experiences, most often in rental situations. Testers must be objective, courteous, professional, and capable of handling confidential information. Testers are careful observers, accurate reporters and truthful witnesses.

All potential testers are required to complete a 3-hour training course, which provides an overview of fair housing law, reviews the nature and structure of housing discrimination tests and teaches potential testers how to report on their experiences. Phone numbers are required when registering. Upon completion of this training, testers are contacted on an as-needed basis.

We are looking for individuals residing in Nevada, who can be available to conduct tests Monday-Friday between the hours of 9am and 4pm, with testing occasionally on a Saturday. Phone tests typically take from 1 to 1.5 hours, Site tests typically take from 2 to 2.5 hours and we schedule around your availability!

Testers receive a small stipend for each completed test, paid through the agency payroll system, with taxes deducted as required by law.

***HUD guidelines preclude persons convicted of a felony or crimes of fraud or perjury from participating in the volunteer program, and require screening for potential conflict of interest. Criminal background checks will be performed on all active testers.***

GOOD MATCH FOR: Everyone - Testers reflect the diversity of our community.

TESTIMONIALS:

"I've been a tester with SSFHC for several years. It's fun as I get to use my acting skills; challenging as I have to use my brain cells; interesting as I continue to learn more with each assignment I'm given; and most of all personally rewarding as I help our community by making sure all people have access to fair housing without discrimination. Everyone on the staff is friendly and great to work with. I certainly hope to continue as a tester for many more years. -AP 2019

"I've been a volunteer with Silver State Fair Housing for about a year now. Although we never truly know the impact we make as fair housing testers, I know in my heart we are helping forge a path to equality. Everyone should have an equal shot at the American Dream regardless of their race, color, creed or familial status. We help make that happen, and that is something truly fulfilling. If you want a purpose-driven life, volunteering with Silver State Fair Housing is an excellent beginning. " -MA 2019

"I have found working with Silver State Fair Housing Council to be very rewarding and more importantly, I know that this program offers information and advocacy to individuals who might otherwise fall victim to discrimination in finding adequate housing. It feels good to work with an agency that makes a difference.

I respect and admire what this non-profit agency stands for and also appreciate the professionalism of the staff and executive director in the Reno office. I find the Executive Director and Investigations Coordinator to be very organized and can always count on them to communicate regularly/clearly with me in regard to testing and scheduling." -RW 2019

"Silver State Fair Council is a wonderful place to volunteer. Not only is it a chance to learn about housing discrimination, but being a tester is a unique volunteer experience. Moreover, all of the staff are so supportive and informative - it has been one of my best volunteer experiences." -RL 2019

"I grew up in South Carolina where racial discrimination was the norm. So, at a very young age, I vowed to help fight against injustice. At the age of 18, I went into Law Enforcement. Now, many years later, I have found another way to help serve my community through working with the Silver State Fair Housing Council. Testing is so easy. You are given a packet with detailed instructions on the location you will be calling or visiting. You are assisted from beginning to end so you never feel you are doing it alone. It just takes minutes of your time to do the testing. I love helping and the experience is truly amazing. I encourage anyone who has an hour or two a day, a week, or a month to join this team. The reward is one you will truly enjoy." -TB 2019

"Being an SSFHC tester is basically secret shopping for good. If you like touring apartment complexes/model apartments and want to make some extra money while supporting the fair housing cause, this is for you!"
-APh 2019