Legal Definitions - Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is a division within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Its primary role is to enforce and administer federal laws and regulations that prevent discrimination in both public and private housing across the United States. This means FHEO works to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to rent, buy, or access housing-related services, free from unlawful bias based on factors like race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.

Here are some examples illustrating the work of FHEO:

• Scenario: A prospective tenant with a mobility disability is denied an apartment rental by a landlord who claims the building "isn't suitable" for wheelchairs, even though the tenant offered to pay for reasonable modifications. The tenant believes this is discrimination based on their disability.

  How FHEO applies: The tenant could file a complaint with FHEO. FHEO would then investigate whether the landlord violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to make reasonable accommodations or modifications for a person with a disability. FHEO's role is to ensure that housing providers comply with laws prohibiting such discrimination.

• Scenario: A family with young children is consistently shown only apartments on the ground floor, far from the building's playground, while single individuals are shown units with better access to amenities. The family suspects they are being steered away from certain housing options because of their familial status.

  How FHEO applies: This family could report their experience to FHEO. FHEO would investigate whether the housing provider's actions constitute discrimination based on familial status (the presence of children under 18). FHEO works to prevent practices that limit housing choices for families with children.

• Scenario: A local non-profit organization wants to develop an affordable housing complex and needs to understand its obligations under fair housing laws, particularly regarding accessibility for people with disabilities and non-discriminatory marketing practices.

  How FHEO applies: FHEO provides guidance, resources, and technical assistance to housing providers, local governments, and community organizations. The non-profit could consult FHEO for information on how to design, market, and operate their housing complex in full compliance with fair housing laws, thereby preventing future discrimination issues.