HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

America, in every way, represents equality of opportunity for all persons.  The rich diversity of its citizens and the spirit that binds us all symbolize the principles of freedom and justice upon which this nation was founded.  That is why it is extremely disturbing when new immigrants, minorities, families with children, and persons with disabilities are denied the housing of their choice because of illegal discrimination.

The department of Housing and Urban Development enforces the Fair Housing Act and other federal laws that prohibit discrimination and the intimidation of people in their homes, apartment buildings, and condominium developments – and nearly all housing transactions, including the rental and sale of housing and the provision of mortgage loans.

Equal access to housing and homeownership opportunities is the cornerstone of this nation’s federal housing policy. Landlords who refuse to rent or sell homes to people based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability are violating federal law, and HUD will vigorously pursue them.

Housing discrimination is not only illegal, it contradicts in every way the principles of freedom and opportunity we treasure as Americans. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is committed to ensuring that everyone is treated equally when searching for a place to call home.

To learn more about your fair housing rights, visit HUD’s website: “Fair Housing – It’s Your Right”, or check out their brochure, “Fair Housing: Equal Opportunity for All”.  If you believe that you or your family have been the victim of housing discrimination, you can file a complaint with HUD using the Web Link below.

If you think your rights have been violated, you may contact the Boston Regional Office of FHEO at (617) 994-8300.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reference the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995 (HOPA) for an explanation of how the Fair Housing Act pertains to senior housing.

HUD stands for US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is within HUD and ensures the Fair Housing Act is faithfully executed.

The Fair Housing Act covers most housing.

Exemptions:

  • owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units,
  • single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker,
  • housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members

In the Sale and Rental of Housing and in Mortgage Lending: No one may take any discriminatory actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap (disability). In Addition:

It is illegal for anyone to:

  • Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right
  • Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability)

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Web Links

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