Last updated May 29, 2026
Whatcom House and Bellwether Real Estate fully support and abide by the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Washington State Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60).
Equal Housing Opportunity
It is illegal to discriminate against any person in the sale, rental, financing, or advertising of housing, or in the provision of brokerage services, on the basis of:
- Race or color
- National origin or ancestry
- Religion or creed
- Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation)
- Familial status (presence of children under 18)
- Disability
- Marital status
- Age
- Veteran or military status
- Use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability
- Honorably discharged veteran or military status
- Source of income (including Section 8 vouchers in Washington)
Washington law extends protected classes beyond the federal categories listed in the Federal Fair Housing Act, including source of income and use of a service animal. We honor both.
Our commitment
Every client receives the same standard of service. We will not steer, refuse to show properties, misrepresent availability, or treat anyone differently based on a protected characteristic. We work to make homeownership accessible to all qualified buyers.
Report discrimination
If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): hud.gov/fairhousing or call 1-800-669-9777
- Washington State Human Rights Commission: hum.wa.gov or call 1-800-233-3247
- Northwest Fair Housing Alliance: nwfairhouse.org
You can also report concerns about our service to: Genaro Shaffer · (360) 389-6616 · genaro@genaroshaffer.co, or to Bellwether Real Estate management at 11 Bellwether Way Suite 201, Bellingham WA 98225.
Pre-purchase fair housing resources
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions and HUD-approved housing counselors offer free pre-purchase counseling for first-time buyers, including disclosure of fair-housing rights. Find a local counselor at hud.gov/findacounselor.