HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) works to eliminate discrimination in housing, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities.
Below are some important links related to Fair Housing:
Fair Housing FAQs
Residents
How can I file a fair housing complaint?
- Online: You can file online in English or Spanish.
- Email: You can also download a form (also available in Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese) and email it to your local FHEO office at the email address on this list.
- Phone: Talk to an FHEO specialist: 1-800-669-9777 (or 1-800-927-9275 for TTY).
- Mail: Print this form (also available in Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese) and mail it to your regional FHEO office at the address on this list.
Learn more about the process here.
I worry that if I file, I will lose my housing.
According to HUD, retaliation is illegal. It is illegal to retaliate against any person for making a complaint, testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner in a proceeding under HUD’s complaint process at any time, even after the investigation has been completed. The Fair Housing Act also makes it illegal to retaliate against any person because that person reported a discriminatory practice to a housing provider or other authority. If you believe you have experienced retaliation, you can file a complaint.
What types of complaints will the FHEO investigate?
- Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act
- How Rights Violated: Discrimination in renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities
- Applicable Laws: Fair Housing Act (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability)
- Who Can File: Anyone who has been or will be harmed by a discriminatory housing practice
- Who May Have A Complaint Filed Against Them: Property owners, property managers, developers, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, homeowners associations, insurance providers, and others who affect housing opportunities
- Discrimination in Housing and Community Development Programs
- How Rights Violated: Discrimination and other violations of civil rights in HUD programs (for example, failure to ensure meaningful access by persons with limited English proficiency)
- Applicable Laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, national origin); Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (race, color, national origin, religion, sex); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability); Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (disability); Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (disability); Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (age); Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (sex)
- Who Can File: Anyone
- Who May Have A Complaint Filed Against Them: Any recipient or subrecipient of HUD financial assistance, States, local governments, and private entities operating housing and community development and other types of services, programs, or activities
How can I learn about the Complaint Process?
Should I get help before filing a complaint?
HUD has provided a list of resources in case you do decide to seek help prior to filing a complaint.
How do I file a complaint in languages other than English?
Managers
Where can I find posters and brochures to make residents aware of their fair housing rights?
HUD has an entire page dedicated to outreach tools.