Fair Housing Enforcement Project (FHEP)
of
Monroe County Legal Assistance Corp. 
80 St. Paul Street.
Suite 700
Rochester, NY 14604-1350
 

You can register a Fair Housing Complaint locally. 

Call: (716) 325-2500
                  (716) TTD 325-2547

 

All services provided are absolutely free. 
The Fair Housing Enforcement Project (FHEP) is a joint program of the Monroe County Legal Assistance Corporation and the Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL). In 1998 FHEP began providing private enforcement services to the victims of housing discrimination in Monroe County, pursuant to a contract with the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Pursuant to our contract with HUD, FHEP is able to investigate housing discrimination complaints, and provide free access to the federal courts for people whose cases have merit. Additionally, FHEP provides free community education on the fair housing laws to interested groups.

The FHEP staff consists of attorneys, and fair housing specialists that educate the community and advocate for the rights of housing discrimination victims. The staff will investigate, evaluate and litigate when necessary.

When you call our trained staff will:

  • Listen to your story and collect important information.
  • Thoroughly investigate the complaint.
  • Review the results of the investigation with you to determine if there is a basis for a case.
  • Provide legal representation directly or by referral in an enforcement action for cases that we believe to have merit.
  • Provide all services at no expense to the client.

Don’t wait. You should report housing discrimination as soon as possible. If you’ve been refused housing that you believe is available or if a housing provider has tried to dissuade you from taking an available housing unit, you may have been discriminated against.  

The Fair Housing Enforcement Project is designed to provide legal assistance to local community residents so contact them first if you think your rights have been violated.  

For additional information, click here.

Filing a Housing Discrimination Complaint with HUD

You can also file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

HUD is ready to help with any problem of housing discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, you may fill out a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form online, write HUD a letter, or telephone the HUD Hotline. You have 1 year after an alleged violation to file a complaint with HUD, but you should file it as soon as possible.

What to Tell HUD:

•Your name and address •The name and address of the person your complaint is against (the respondent) •The address or other identification of the housing involved •A short description of the alleged violation (the event that caused you to believe your rights were violated) •The date(s) of the alleged violation.

 

HUD, Online Housing Discrimination Complaint Form.
You can complete the form and submit it on line or print out a copy and sent it to the New York Fair Housing Hub Office.

Send the Housing Discrimination Complaint Form or a letter to the HUD Field Office nearest you:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
26 Federal Plaza, room 3532
New, York, New York 10278-0068

or to:

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20410-2000

HUD, Toll-free complaint line: 1-800-669-9777
HUD, Toll-free TTY line complaint line: 1-800-927-9275

What Happens When You File A Complaint?

HUD will notify you when it receives your complaint. Normally, HUD also will:

 *Notify the alleged violator of your complaint and permit that person to submit an answer

* Investigate your complaint and determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the Fair Housing Act has been violated

*Notify you if it cannot complete an investigation within 100 days of receiving your complaint.


Conciliation

HUD will try to reach an agreement with the person your complaint is against (the respondent). A conciliation agreement must protect both you and the public interest. If an agreement is signed, HUD will take no further action on your complaint. However, if HUD has reasonable cause to believe that a conciliation agreement is breached, HUD will recommend that the Attorney General file suit.


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:

Irreparable harm is likely to occur without HUD's intervention.
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:

--To compensate you for actual damages, including humiliation, pain and suffering.
--To provide injunctive or other equitable relief, for example, to make the housing available to you. 
--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. 
--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: 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.

For Further Information:

The Fair Housing Act and HUD's regulations contain more detail and technical
information. If you need a copy of the law or regulations, contact the HUD
Office nearest you.

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