Fair Housing Act

Page 7

Complaint Referrals
If HUD has determined that your State or local agency has the same fair housing powers as HUD, HUD will refer your complaint to that agency for investigation and notify you of the referral. That agency must begin work on your complaint within 30 days or HUD may take it back.

What if You Need Help Quickly?
If you need immediate help to stop a serious problem that is being caused by a Fair Housing Act violation, HUD may be able to assist you as soon as you file a complaint. HUD may authorize the Attorney General to go to court to seek temporary or preliminary relief, pending the outcome of your complaint, if:

1) Irreparable harm is likely to occur without HUD's intervention
2) There is substantial evidence that a violation of the Fair Housing Act occurred

Example: A builder agrees to sell a house but, after learning the buyer is black, fails to keep the agreement. The buyer files a complaint with HUD. HUD may authorize the Attorney General to go to court to prevent a sale to any other buyer until HUD investigates the complaint.

What Happens after a Complaint Investigation? If, after investigating your complaint, HUD finds reasonable cause to believe that discrimination occurred, it will inform you. Your case will be heard in an administrative hearing within 120 days, unless you or the respondent want the case to be heard in Federal district court. Either way, there is no cost to you.

The Administrative Hearing: If your case goes to an administrative hearing HUD attorneys will litigate the case on your behalf. You may intervene in the case and be represented by your own attorney if you wish. An Administrative Law Judge (ALA) will consider evidence from you and the respondent. If the ALA decides that discrimination occurred, the respondent can be ordered:

1) To compensate you for actual damages, including humiliation, pain and suffering.
2) To provide injunctive or other equitable relief, for example, to make the housing available to you.
3) To pay the Federal Government a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest. The maximum penalties are $10,000 for a first violation and $50,000 for a third violation within seven years.
4) To pay reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

Federal District Court
If you or the respondent choose to have your case decided in Federal District Court, the Attorney General will file a suit and litigate it on your behalf. Like the ALA, the District Court can order relief, and award actual damages, attorney's fees and costs. In addition, the court can award punitive damages.

In Addition
You may file suit, at your expense, in Federal District Court or State Court within two years of an alleged violation. If you cannot afford an attorney, the Court may appoint one for you. You may bring suit even after filing a complaint, if you have not signed a conciliation agreement and an Administrative Law Judge has not started a hearing. A court may award actual and punitive damages and attorney's fees and costs.

Other Tools to Combat Housing Discrimination:
If there is noncompliance with the order of an Administrative Law Judge, HUD may seek temporary relief, enforcement of the order or a restraining order in a United States Court of Appeals.

The Attorney General may file a suit in a Federal District Court if there is reasonable cause to believe a pattern or practice of housing discrimination is occurring.

Page 1 What Housing Is Covered?
Page 2 Additional Protection if You Have a Disability
Page 3 Requirements for New Buildings
Page 4 Housing Opportunities for Families
Page 5 If You Think Your Rights Have Been Violated
Page 6 What Happens when You File a Complaint?
Page 7 Complaint Referrals

The Department of Housing & Urban Developement (HUD) has primary responsibility for implementing the Fair Housing Act. For More Detail and Technical Information: go to www.hud.gov/local/

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Room 5116
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, S. W.
Washington, D.C. 20410-2000
202-708-2878 or Toll Free 1-800-424-8590
www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights.cfm
www.hud.gov/complaints/housediscrim.cfm

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