Equal Opportunity in Housing (14.400)

 

Program

14.400 Equal Opportunity in Housing

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

 

Authorization

Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 3600 et seq.

 

Program Number

14.400

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide fair housing throughout the United States and an administrative enforcement system which is subject to judicial review.

 

Types of Assistance

Investigation of Complaints.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

With limited exceptions, no housing offered commercially for sale or rental, may be advertised, sold, leased out, financed or appraised in a manner which discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household or a pregnant woman). In addition, housing providers and others must allow reasonable modifications to units and provide reasonable accommodations when these are necessary to allow a person with a disability full housing rights. Finally, multi-family housing built for occupancy after March 13, 1991, must comply with the Accessibility Guidelines established. Complaints of discrimination are investigated and conciliated. When conciliation is unsuccessful and where investigation indicates reasonable cause to believe that discrimination occurred or is about to occur, complainants may pursue their complaints before an Administrative law judge or in federal district court. (The Department of Justice litigates on behalf of complainants in federal district court, or HUD litigates on their behalf in the administrative forum. Also conferences and training sessions are held to explain rights and responsibilities under the law to attorneys, developers, the real estate industry and the general public.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Any aggrieved person, or the Assistant Secretary, may file a complaint based on an alleged discriminatory housing practice because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin. The complaint may be filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development or a State or local fair housing agency with processes, procedures and remedies substantially equivalent to those of the Department, and which the Department has approved.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Not applicable.

Credentials/Documentation

Not applicable.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Complaints may be sent to any HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Field Office, or to HUD's Washington office.

Award Procedure

None.

Deadlines

An administrative complaint must be filed with HUD within one year of the alleged discriminatory act.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Depends upon result of complaint processing.

Renewals

Not applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not applicable.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Not applicable.

Audits

Not applicable.

Records

Not applicable.

 

Program Accomplishments

During fiscal year 2000, HUD received 5,304 cases, State and local agencies received another 2,568 cases. Many of these cases were settled, achieving relief for the complainants and commitments to conduct activities which would further fair housing. Settlements by both HUD and the State and local agencies had a total monetary value of approximately $8.5 million (does not include HUD ALJ or DOJ closure of HUD complaints).

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

86-0143-0-1-999.

Obligations

(Salaries and expenses) Not separately identifiable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations implementing the Fair Housing Act, 24 CFR Part 100; "Fair Housing It's Your Right," English (HUD-1686-FHEO); Fair Housing - Complaint Processing, 24 Part 103; Administrative Proceedings Under Section 812 of the Fair Housing Act, 24 CFR Part 180; Consolidated HUD Hearing Procedures for Civil Rights Matters Certification of Substantially Equivalent Agencies, 24 CFR 115; Preamble to Final Rule Implementing Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 54 Fed. Rg 3232 (1989); CFR Ch I, Subch. A, App II.

 

Related Programs

16.103, Fair Housing and Equal Credit Opportunity; 16.200, Community Relations Service.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Diana Ortiz, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th St., SW., Room 5226, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone: (202) 708-0836. Toll-free number for filing complaints: 1-(800) 669-9777 (V) or 1-(800) 927-9275 (TTY). E-mail Diana_Ortiz@hud.gov.

Web Site Address

http://www.hud.gov/progdesc/fheoindx.html

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not applicable.