FAIR HOUSING CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN

To prevent and eliminate illegal housing discrimination and to ensure equal housing opportunity. The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is a private, non-profit fair housing organization committed to providing comprehensive fair housing services, including education, outreach, research, advocacy and enforcement. The Fair Housing Center is the front door to housing choice, ensuring that everyone in our community has equal opportunity to choose housing that’s right for them. Through education, research and advocacy, we prevent housing discrimination, remove barriers that allow it to persist, and restore housing choice when discrimination happens

Become a Tester

Our housing tester program is an interesting way to learn about the community and get first hand experience with fair housing. Testers play the role of a home seeker and participate in apartment showings, open houses, and other experiences to help us monitor fair housing practices. Testers are of vital importance to the advocacy and research programs of the Fair Housing Center. Without a vast and diverse pool of volunteer testers, the Fair Housing Center would be drastically limited in our ability to conduct research and investigate claims of illegal discrimination.

What is a Tester?

As a tester, you play the role of a home seeker to observe and document the ordinary business practices of housing providers, lenders, insurance companies, and others. As a tester, you may be asked to pose as a person who is interested in renting an apartment, buying a home, applying for financing to purchase housing, inquiring about property insurance for a home, or using other types of housing services. Testers must be at least 18 years old, objective, careful observers, accurate reporters, and truthful and credible witnesses. Testers are paid generous stipends.

How Do I Become a Tester?

Our comprehensive tester training sessions are held on a regular basis. To register for a tester training via phone, or for more information about testing, contact Gabe Chapla at (616) 451-2980 or 1-866-389-FAIR.