how to contact a federal fare housing act lawyer

Phone You can speak with an FHEO intake specialist by calling 1-800-669-9777 or 1-800-877-8339. You can also call your regional FHEO office at the phone numbers on this list.

Full Answer

How does the Fair Housing Act handle complaints of discrimination?

The Fair Housing Act also provides procedures for handling individual complaints of discrimination. Individuals who believe that they have been victims of an illegal housing practice, may file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] or file their own lawsuit in federal or state court.

How do I file a federal fair housing complaint?

Your first step in making a federal fair housing complaint is to file a complaint with FHEO. You can call FHEO directly to make a complaint, or you can file a complaint form.

Who enforces the Fair Housing Act in your state?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the Fair Housing Act. This law prohibits discrimination when you rent, buy, or secure financing for a home. Your state may also have a similar law.

How do I get help with fair housing in another language?

You can ask for language-related assistance when you contact FHEO. You can find descriptions of your fair housing rights in several languages other than English here. HUD communicates through the Federal Relay Service and provides a toll-free teletypewriter (TTY) line: 1-800-877-8339.

Which agency investigates most fair housing complaints?

FHEO investigates complaints, which may be one or both of the following types:Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act (including housing that is privately owned and operated)Discrimination and other civil rights violations in housing and community development programs, including those funded by HUD.

Which of the following is a violation of federal fair housing law?

Race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin. Although some interest groups have tried to lobby to include sexual orientation and marital status, these aren't protected classes under the federal law, but are sometimes protected by certain local state fair housing laws.

What are the 7 personal characteristics that are protected by the Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to harass persons because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin. Among other things, this forbids sexual harassment. Learn more about sexual harassment here.

Which conditions are protected by the federal Fair Housing Act?

Fair housing is the right to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination. Fair housing laws protect people from discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, and age.

What can a federal judge award in a fair housing lawsuit?

If the Federal Court decides in your favor, a Judge or jury may order the following relief: Compensation for actual damages, including out-of-pocket expenses and emotional distress damages. Permanent injunctive relief, such as an order not to discriminate.

What is the penalty for violating the Fair Housing Act?

The maximum civil penalties are: $16,000, for a first violation of the Act; $37,500 if a previous violation has occurred within the preceding five-year period; and $65,000 if two or more previous violations have occurred within the preceding seven-year period.

Which of the following is permitted under the federal Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act outlaws discrimination against home renters and buyers by landlords, sellers, and lenders on account of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, or family status. The Act is enforced at the federal level by the Dept.

What is the cost associated with filing a fair housing complaint with the US Department of housing and Urban Development?

no cost1. Anyone can file a complaint with HUD at no cost. Fair housing complaints can be filed by any entity, including individuals and community groups.

What is legally protected status?

Protected Status is a Legally Defined Term Unlawful discrimination is conduct that denies or limits a person's full and equal access to participate in, or benefit from education and/or employment programs, services or activities because of decisions made on the basis of that person's protected status(es).

What is disparate treatment?

What is disparate treatment? Disparate treatment is a form of discrimination that can occur in the workplace and is considered as evidence of illegal employment discrimination. It is intentional discrimination in the form of unequal treatment, which is directly given to an employee.

What's the primary purpose of the federal Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. The act has two main purposes—prevent discrimination and reverse housing segregation.

How can landlords can comply with the Fair Housing Act?

Be consistent in screening tenants, and have the same qualifying standards for every tenant. Go through the exact same practices for each prospective tenant who applies to rent your property. Require the same information, documents, referrals, and fees. And treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Race Or Color

One of the central objectives of the Fair Housing Act, when Congress enacted it in 1968, was to prohibit race discrimination in sales and rentals o...

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Religion

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based upon religion. This prohibition covers instances of overt discrimination against mem...

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Sex, Including Sexual Harassment

The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in housing on the basis of sex. In recent years, the Department's focus in this area has bee...

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon National Origin

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based upon national origin. Such discrimination can be based either upon the country of an individual...

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Familial Status

The Fair Housing Act, with some exceptions, prohibits discrimination in housing against families with children under 18. In addition to prohibiting...

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Disability

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all types of housing transactions. The Act defines persons with a disab...

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Disability Group Homes

Some individuals with disabilities may live together in congregate living arrangements, often referred to as "group homes." The Fair Housing Act pr...

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Disability -- Accessibility Features For New Construction

The Fair Housing Act defines discrimination in housing against persons with disabilities to include a failure "to design and construct" certain new...

What is the Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act defines discrimination in housing against persons with disabilities to include a failure "to design and construct" certain new multi-family dwellings so that they are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, and particularly people who use wheelchairs. The Act requires all newly constructed multi-family dwellings of four or more units intended for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, to have certain features: an accessible entrance on an accessible route, accessible common and public use areas, doors sufficiently wide to accommodate wheelchairs, accessible routes into and through each dwelling, light switches, electrical outlets, and thermostats in accessible location, reinforcements in bathroom walls to accommodate grab bar installations, and usable kitchens and bathrooms configured so that a wheelchair can maneuver about the space.#N#Developers, builders, owners, and architects responsible for the design or construction of new multi-family housing may be held liable under the Fair Housing Act if their buildings fail to meet these design requirements. The Department of Justice has brought many enforcement actions against those who failed to do so. Most of the cases have been resolved by consent decrees providing a variety of types of relief, including: retrofitting to bring inaccessible features into compliance where feasible and where it is not -- alternatives (monetary funds or other construction requirements) that will provide for making other housing units accessible; training on the accessibility requirements for those involved in the construction process; a mandate that all new housing projects comply with the accessibility requirements, and monetary relief for those injured by the violations. In addition, the Department has sought to promote accessibility through building codes.

What is the second area of the Fair Housing Act?

The second area is insuring that newly constructed multifamily housing is built in accordance with the Fair Housing Act's accessibility requirements so that it is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, and, in particular, those who use wheelchairs.

What is the Department of Justice?

The Department brings cases where there is evidence of a pattern or practice of discrimination or where a denial of rights to a group of persons raises an issue of general public importance. Where force or threat of force is used to deny or interfere with fair housing rights, the Department of Justice may institute criminal proceedings.

What is reasonable accommodation?

What constitutes a reasonable accommodation is a case-by-case determination.

What is senior housing?

This type of housing, which meets the standards set forth in the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, may operate as "senior" housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published regulations and additional guidance detailing these statutory requirements.

What is a major life activity?

The term major life activity may include seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for one's self, learning, speaking, or working. The Fair Housing Act also protects persons who have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having such an impairment.

When was discrimination in housing enacted?

Discrimination in Housing Based Upon Race or Color. One of the central objectives of the Fair Housing Act, when Congress enacted it in 1968, was to prohibit race discrimination in sales and rentals of housing. Nevertheless, more than 30 years later, race discrimination in housing continues to be a problem.

What is the phone number for HUD?

HUD communicates through the Federal Relay Service and provides a toll-free teletypewriter (TTY) line: 1-800-877-8339. You can also ask for disability-related assistance when you contact FHEO, including reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services.

Does HUD provide interpreters?

For persons with limited English proficiency, HUD provides interpreters. You can ask for language-related assistance when you contact FHEO. You can find descriptions of your fair housing rights in several languages other than English here.

What is the number for housing discrimination?

Housing Discrimination Hotline. (800) 669-9777 . Provides information for callers about Fair Housing Rights. Records consumer complaints of unfair treatment or discrimination. In English and Spanish. TDD line for the hearing impaired. (800 ) 877-8339.

What is the number for HUD?

HUD Office of Fair Housing Enforcement. (800) 347-3739. Provides callers from CA, NV, AZ and HI with information on Federal Fair Housing laws.

What is a false denying of housing?

Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental to any person who is legally protected by the Act. Refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules or services for a disabled person, that have been deemed neccessary by a physician.

What is a refusal to rent or sell housing?

Refusal to rent or sell housing to any person who is legally protected by the Act. Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for a sale or rental to any person who is legally protected by the Act. Providing different housing services or facilities to any person who is legally protected by the Act.

How long does it take to file a civil rights complaint in New Jersey?

You may file a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights within 180 days of the date of the alleged violation. The complaint must be filed at one of the following regional offices. South Shore Regional Office. 609-441-3100. TTY: 609-441-7648.

Is it illegal to discriminate against people in the Fair Housing Act?

The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of: It is illegal to discriminate against persons belonging to any one of the above listed legally protected classes in any of the following situations: Refusal to rent or sell housing to any person who is legally protected by the Act.

What is the Housing for Older Persons exemption?

The Housing for Older Persons exemptions apply to the following housing: Provided under any state or federal program that the Secretary of HUD has determined to be specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons (as defined in the state or federal program);

What is the Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act: Housing for Older Persons. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status (families with children under the age of 18; pregnant women and people in the process of obtaining custody of children under 18, or persons with written permission ...

How old do you have to be to qualify for 55 or older housing?

In order to qualify for the "55 or older" housing exemption, a facility or community must satisfy each of the following requirements: At least 80 percent of the units must have at least one occupant who is 55 years of age or older; and.

Does HUD require age verification?

The facility or community must comply with HUD's regulatory requirements for age verification of residents. The "housing for older persons" exemption does not protect such housing facilities or communities from liability for housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin.

Can a community refuse to sell a house to a minor?

Such exempt housing facilities or communities can lawfully refuse to sell or rent dwellings to families with minor children only if they qualify for the exemption. In order to qualify for the "housing for older persons" exemption, a facility or community must comply with all the requirements of the exemption.

What is the difference between Executive Order 11246 and 12892?

Executive Order 11246 Executive Order 11246, as amended, bars discrimination in federal employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Executive Order 12892 Executive Order 12892, as amended, requires federal agencies to affirmatively further fair housing in their programs and activities, ...

What is the meaning of 11063?

Let's take a look at a few: Executive Order 11063 Executive Order 11063 prohibits discrimination in the sale, leasing, rental, or other disposition of properties and facilities owned or operated by the federal government or provided with federal funds.

What is HUD 109?

Section 109 of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 Section 109 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or religion in programs and activities receiving financial assistance from HUD's Community Development and Block Grant Program.

What is the title of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

List of Federal Laws. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

What is Executive Order 13217?

Executive Order 13217 Executive Order 13217 requires federal agencies to evaluate their policies and programs to determine if any can be revised or modified to improve the availability of community-based living arrangements for persons with disabilities.

What is fair housing?

Fair housing laws are intended to protect an individual's right to rent, sell, or own housing without the threat of unlawful discrimination. The purpose of these laws is to provide equal opportunities in housing to all. Below is a list of federal laws that prohibit a number of types of housing discrimination, and links to the full texts of those laws. (Note: Many states have civil rights laws of their own which mirror those at the federal level, so your state may have its own fair housing / housing discrimination laws that are very similar to those identified below.)

What are executive orders related to fair housing?

Executive Orders are one way for a one way a U.S. president to make changes to the nation's policies. Let's take a look at a few:

What happens if a lender denies a mortgage application?

File a complaint with the CFPB if a lender has denied a mortgage application because of your: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the Fair Housing Act. This law prohibits discrimination when you rent, buy, or secure financing for a home. Your state may also have a similar law.

What to do if you have a complaint against a mortgage company?

If you have a complaint against a mortgage company, try to resolve it with the company first. Several government agencies accept complaints about mortgage lenders. In some cases, you should file your complaint with more than one agency, especially at the federal and state level.

What happens if you pay rent?

As a tenant, if you pay to rent a home or an apartment, you may at some point have a dispute with the landlord or management company. Often disputes are about the conditions of the building, essential services, rent increases, or your right to stay. It’s best to come to an agreement directly with the landlord or manager.

What laws does the CFPB enforce?

The CFPB enforces several laws, such as the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. These laws require lenders to disclose information to homebuyers before buying and over the life of the mortgage. File a complaint with the CFPB if you have a problem with a new or existing mortgage.

What is unfair and deceptive practices?

It states that unfair and deceptive practices affecting commerce are unlawful. Report a mortgage company to the FTC if it makes deceptive statements, omits important facts, or takes misleading actions. Examples include: False statements about their ability to offer a loan.

Is discrimination against housing prohibited?

It could also be a lending institution like a bank or other organization that is an important part of acquiring a home. Housing discrimination is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. Discrimination covered by the Act can take many different forms beyond just raising prices or lying about availability.

Does the Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation?

Discrimination Against LGBT People. The Fair Housing Act does not specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. But discrimination against someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) may still be in violation of the Act or other state or local regulations.