Fifteen recent fair housing enforcement actions have been announced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as it accelerates civil rights enforcement, delivers relief for Americans facing housing discrimination, and continues to reduce a major case backlog.
The agency said the actions include charges and settlements involving allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination against families with children, failure to accommodate individuals with disabilities, and violations of protections for victims of domestic violence.
A fact sheet detailing the recent charges, settlements, and remedial actions is available here.
“Every one of these actions represents an American whose rights deserved protection,” Secretary Scott Turner said. “HUD is enforcing the Fair Housing Act, delivering justice for victims of discrimination, and restoring accountability to a system that for too long failed the people it was meant to serve.”
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) has reduced the Biden backlog by 27% and accelerated investigations and enforcement actions, helping deliver timely justice for Americans facing unlawful housing discrimination.”
Seeks to Help
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig Trainor said the agency is seeking to help people.
“The Biden Administration viewed the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity as a potent weapon in its campaign to fundamentally alter American life consistent with a radical left-wing vision,” said Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig Trainor. “As a result, Americans suffered while fair housing investigators chased nonexistent discrimination emanating from statistical disparities and the false premise that systemic racism exists in contemporary America. Under Secretary Turner’s leadership, the Department helps real people facing real harm. These actions reflect that commitment.”
HUD said it inherited an inefficient case system that delayed or politicized investigations and enforcement actions.
It said in a 2024 report that HUD’s Office of Inspector General found that the previous administration failed to close roughly 70% of cases within the 100-day timeline required by law.
The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability, HUD said.
FHEO enforces the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Violence Against Women Act, among other civil rights laws.
