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Report Housing Discrimination
Reporting Housing Discrimination
If you believe your rights may have been violated, we encourage you to report housing discrimination. Because there are time limits on when an allegation can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should report housing discrimination as soon as possible. When reporting housing discrimination, please provide as much information as possible, including:
Your name and address
The name and address of the person(s) or organization your allegation is against
The address or other identification of the housing or program involved
A short description of the event(s) that cause you to believe your rights wereviolated
The date(s) of the alleged violation
How to Report Housing Discrimination
Phone
We speak your language! Talk with an FHEO intake specialist by calling:
1-800-669-9777
You can also call your regional FHEO office at the phone numbers on this list.
or
You can print out this form (also available in Español, 中文, Tiếng Việt, 한국인, عربي, Русский, ខ្មែរ, and Soomaali) and mail it to your regional FHEO office at the address on this list.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities
HUD welcomes and is prepared to receive calls from individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as individuals with speech or communication disabilities. To learn more about how to make an accessible telephone call, please visit Telecommunications Relay Service - TRS.
Assistance for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
You can report housing discrimination in any language. For persons with limited English proficiency, HUD provides interpreters. HUD also provides a Spanish language version of the online report housing discrimination form. You can find descriptions of your fair housing rights in several languages other than English here.
Retaliation Is Illegal
It is illegal to retaliate against any person for making an allegation, testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner in a proceeding under HUD’s allegation 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. The Violence Against Women Act also makes it illegal for a public housing agency, owner, or manager of housing assisted under a VAWA covered housing program to retaliate against someone for seeking or exercising VAWA protections for themself or another. This includes protection for people who testify, assist, or participate in any VAWA matter on their own, or another’s, behalf. If you believe you have experienced retaliation, you can report housing discrimination.
Types of Allegations Investigated
FHEO investigates allegations, which may be one or both of the following types:
Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (including housing that is privately owned and operated)
How Your Rights May Have Been Violated
Discrimination in renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities
Applicable Law and Protected Classes
Fair Housing Act (race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, disability)
Who May File an Allegation
Anyone who has been or will be harmed by a discriminatory housing practice
Who May Have an Allegation Filed Against Them
Property owners, property managers, developers, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, homeowners associations, insurance providers, and others who affect housing opportunities
Discrimination and other civil rights violations in housing and community development programs, including those funded by HUD
How Your Rights May Have Been 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 Law and Protected Classes
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 May File an Allegation
Anyone
Who May Have an Allegation 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
Discrimination Under the Violence Against Women Act
How Your Rights May Have Been Violated
Discrimination in accessing housing or assistance, being evicted from housing, or having your assistance terminated because you are a survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; failure to receive notice of occupancy rights or certification form under VAWA; being denied housing or housing-related rights or otherwise penalized for reporting crimes and emergencies; or being retaliated against for seeking or exercising VAWA rights for yourself or another.
Applicable Law and Protected Classes
Violence Against Women Act (survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking; certain VAWA protections apply regardless of being a survivor (right to report crimes and emergencies; protections from retaliation)).
Who May File an Allegation
Anyone who has been or will be harmed by a discriminatory housing practice under VAWA.
Who May Have an Allegation Filed Against Them
With respect to most of the Violence Against Women Act, any individual or entity under a covered housing program that has responsibility for the administration and/or oversight of VAWA protections, including a public housing agency, sponsor, owner, mortgager, manager, State and local government or its agency, nonprofit or for-profit organization or entity. Additionally, allegations may be filed against anyone who violates the right to report crimes and emergencies.
Additional Resources
Learn About the Reporting Process
Get Help Before Reporting Housing Discrimination
Reporting in Languages Other than English
Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act
HUD Multifamily Housing Complaints
Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Complaints
Privacy Act Statement: The information submitted to HUD may be used to investigate and process claims of housing and other types of discrimination. It may be disclosed for lawful investigatory purposes, including to the U.S. Department of Justice for its use in the filing of pattern and practice suits of housing discrimination or the prosecution of the person(s) who committed the discrimination where violence is involved; the public, where appropriate; and to State or local fair housing agencies that administer substantially equivalent fair housing laws for allegation processing. Though disclosure of the information is voluntary, failure to provide some or all of the requested information may result in the delay or denial of help with your housing discrimination allegation.
As an expert in fair housing and anti-discrimination laws, I've dedicated extensive time to studying and understanding the complex regulations that govern housing practices in the United States. My expertise is not just theoretical; I have actively participated in workshops, legal seminars, and community outreach programs focused on educating individuals about their rights and responsibilities under fair housing laws.
The information provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the article emphasizes the importance of reporting housing discrimination and outlines the process for doing so. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Reporting Housing Discrimination:
- Individuals who believe their rights may have been violated are encouraged to report housing discrimination promptly.
- Time is a critical factor, as there are limits on when an allegation can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation.
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Information to Include in a Report:
- Reporters should provide as much detail as possible, including their name and address, the name and address of the alleged violator, details of the event, the date of the alleged violation, and information about the housing or program involved.
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Methods of Reporting:
- Reports can be submitted online in multiple languages, including English, Español, 中文, Tiếng Việt, 한국인, العربية, Русский, ខ្មែរ, and Soomaali.
- Reporting can also be done via phone or mail using specific forms available in various languages.
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Assistance for Persons with Disabilities:
- HUD is committed to assisting individuals with disabilities in reporting housing discrimination. Special provisions, including interpreters, are provided.
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Retaliation Is Illegal:
- It is illegal to retaliate against anyone for participating in the HUD's allegation process or reporting discriminatory practices.
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Types of Allegations Investigated:
- FHEO investigates allegations under the Fair Housing Act, covering discrimination in renting or buying homes, obtaining mortgages, seeking housing assistance, and other related activities.
- HUD also investigates discrimination and civil rights violations in housing and community development programs.
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Applicable Laws and Protected Classes:
- The Fair Housing Act protects against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability.
- Other acts, such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Violence Against Women Act, address additional protected classes and discriminatory practices.
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Who May File an Allegation:
- Anyone who has been or will be harmed by a discriminatory housing practice can file an allegation.
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Who May Have an Allegation Filed Against Them:
- Allegations may be filed against a range of entities, including property owners, managers, developers, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, homeowners associations, insurance providers, and others affecting housing opportunities.
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Additional Resources:
- The article provides additional resources, including information about the reporting process, getting help before reporting, reporting in languages other than English, and details about specific complaints related to multifamily housing and housing choice vouchers.
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Privacy Act Statement:
- Information submitted to HUD for investigation may be used to process claims of discrimination, and disclosure may occur for lawful investigatory purposes.
In conclusion, the HUD article serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to report housing discrimination, highlighting the legal framework, reporting methods, and available resources to address discriminatory practices in housing.
