How does a person lodge a housing discrimination complaint with HUD or a local or state agency?
A tenant or a prospective tenant can file a complaint with HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) if a possible violation of their rights occurred under the Fair Housing Acts. It is necessary to file the complaint within one year of the alleged discrimination. HUD will conduct an investigation to determine whether to dismiss the complaint or attempt to reach a “conciliation” agreement between the parties. If conciliation is unsuccessful, a judge will conduct an administrative hearing to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that discrimination occurred. If the court finds discrimination, it may issue an order of relief and grant the tenant damages. Instead of having the case decided in an administrative hearing, the tenant or the landlord may choose to have the case litigated in Federal District Court by the Attorney General’s office. A District Court can grant the tenant injunctive relief and damages. Because state and local areas also have anti-discri
Related Questions
- If a person has already filed a complaint with the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), can he/she also file with the Department?
- What other local, state or federal agencies can assist in affordable housing development?
- How does a person file a complaint of housing discrimination?
