The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and the presence of children.

 

Complaints filed with HUD are investigated by the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). If the complaint is not successfully conciliated, FHEO determines whether reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred. Where reasonable cause is found, the parties to the complaint are notified by HUD's issuance of a Determination, as well as a Charge of Discrimination, and a hearing is scheduled before a HUD administrative law judge. Either party - complainant or respondent - may cause the HUD-scheduled administrative proceeding to be terminated by electing instead to have the matter litigated in Federal court. Whenever a party has so elected, the Department of Justice takes over HUD's role as counsel seeking resolution of the charge on behalf of aggrieved persons, and the matter proceeds as a civil action. Either form of action - the ALJ proceeding or the civil action in Federal court - is subject to review in the U.S. Court of Appeals.

 

Click here to learn more about the Fair Housing Act and your rights to fair housing.

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Click here to file a housing discrimination complaint

 

In Alabama, contact the Southeast/Caribbean Office:

 

SOUTHEAST/CARIBBEAN OFFICE

Fair Housing Hub

U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development

Five Points Plaza

40 Marietta Street. 16th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30303-2808

Telephone: 404-331-5140 or 800-440-8091

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