About Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's goal is to create equal housing opportunities for all persons living in America
by administering laws that prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and familial status.
What HUD Can Do For You
HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity administers federal laws and
establishes national policies that ensure all Americans have equal access to
the housing of their choice. Particular activities carried out by the Office
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 Office:
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manages the Fair Housing Assistance Program, administers the
award and management of Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants, and proposes fair housing
legislation;
- works with other government agencies on fair housing issues;
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reviews and comments on Departmental clearances of proposed
rules, handbooks, legislation, draft reports, and notices of funding availability for fair
housing considerations;
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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;
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ensures the enforcement of federal laws relating to the
elimination of all forms of discrimination in the Department's employment practices;
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conducts oversight of the 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
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works with private industry, fair-housing and community advocates on the promotion of
voluntary fair housing compliance.
For more information about fair housing practices, please visit the
HUD website.
