YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -  The Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium http://vibrantneo.org/ had public meetings Thursday in Warren and Youngstown to discuss preliminary findings of a study evaluating fair housing in 12 counties in the northeast portion of the state.

The organization heard from those in the community about ways to improve fair housing choices. Federal fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status.

"If someone has a disability and they ask for maybe hand rails in the bathroom, you could say well, that's a cost to me and I really don't want to provide it but it's really a request that needs to be met," said Anthony Kobak with NEOSCC.

The first event took place at 2:30 p.m. at the Wean Foundation's Western Reserve room.

The Youngstown event took place at 6:30 p.m. at the Covelli Centre's community room.