Equal Opportunity in Housing
The Department of Housing and Urban Development's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. HUD fulfills this mission through high ethical standards, management and accountability, and by forming partnerships with community organizations.
Program Accomplishments
During Fiscal Year 2007, 2,449 cases were filed with HUD, another 7,705 cases were filed with State and local agencies. Many of these cases were settled, achieving relief for the complainants and commitments to conduct activities that would further fair housing. Settlements by both HUD and the State and local agencies had a total monetary value of approximately $6,140,943(does not include HUD ALJ or DOJ closure of HUD complaints). For Fiscal Year 2008, it is estimated that 1,932 cases will be filed with HUD and another 7,568 cases will be filed with State and local agencies.
Uses and Use Restrictions
With limited exceptions, no housing offered commercially for sale or rental, may be advertised, sold, leased out, financed or appraised in a manner which discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household or a pregnant woman).
In addition, housing providers and others must allow reasonable modifications to units and provide reasonable accommodations when these are necessary to allow a person with a disability full housing rights.
Finally, multi-family housing built for occupancy after March 13, 1991, must comply with the Accessibility Guidelines established.
Complaints of discrimination are investigated and conciliated.
When conciliation is unsuccessful and where investigation indicates reasonable cause to believe that discrimination occurred or is about to occur, complainants may pursue their complaints before an Administrative law judge or in Federal district court (The Department of Justice litigates on behalf of complainants in federal district court, or HUD litigates on their behalf in the administrative forum).
Also conferences and training sessions are held to explain rights and responsibilities under the law to attorneys, developers, the real estate industry and the general public.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Any aggrieved person, or the Assistant Secretary, may file a complaint based on an alleged discriminatory housing practice because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin.
The complaint may be filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development or a State or local fair housing agency with processes, procedures and remedies substantially equivalent to those of the Department, and which the Department has approved.
Beneficiary Eligibility
None.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Complaints may be sent to any HUD Field Office, or to HUD's Washington, DC Headquarters.
Award Procedures
None.
Deadlines
An administrative complaint must be filed with HUD within one year of the alleged discriminatory act.
Authorization
Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 3600 et seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Depends upon result of complaint processing.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
86-0143-0-1-999.
Obigations
(Salaries and expenses) Not separately identifiable.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Regulations implementing the Fair Housing Act, 24 CFR Part 100; "Fair Housing It's Your Right," English (HUD-1686-FHEO); Fair Housing - Complaint Processing, 24 Part 103; Administrative Proceedings Under Section 812 of the Fair Housing Act, 24 CFR Part 180; Consolidated HUD Hearing Procedures for Civil Rights Matters Certification of Substantially Equivalent Agencies, 24 CFR 115; Preamble to Final Rule Implementing Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 54 Federal Register 3232 (1989); CFR Ch I, Subch. A, App II.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Lynn Grosso, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th St., S.W., Room 5226, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone: (202) 708-2904. Toll-free number for filing complaints: (1- 800) 669-9777 (Voice) or (1-800) 927-9275 (TTY). E-mail: Lynn.M.Grosso@hud.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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