Fair Housing

The mission of the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office (FHEO) is to eliminate housing and discrimination, promote economic opportunity and achieve diverse, inclusive communities by leading the nation in the enforcement, administration, development and public understanding of federal fair housing policies and laws. 

The FHEO Office administers federal laws and establishes national policies that make sure all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice.

Particular activities carried out by FHEO include implementing and enforcing the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968.

In addition the FHEO:

• manages the Fair Housing Assistance Program, administers the award and management of Fair Housing Initiatives Program grant, and proposes fair housing legislation;
  
  
• works with other government agencies on fair housing issues;
  
  
• reviews and comments on departmental clearances of proposed rules, handbooks, legislation, draft reports and notices of funding availability for fair housing considerations;
  
  
• interprets policy, processes complaints, performs compliance reviews and offers technical assistance to local housing authorities and community development agencies regarding Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968;
  
  
• conducts oversight of government-sponsored enterprises (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) to ensure consistency with the Fair Housing Act and the fair housing provisions of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act; and
  
  
• works with private industry, fair housing and community advocates on the promotion of voluntary fair housing compliance.