1. Your Fair Housing Rights – How to Challenge Discrimination
A presentation by Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY
(c) CIDNY 2012 1

2. Options for Challenging Fair Housing Act Violations
Use your landlord’s internal grievance procedures
File an administrative complaint with HUD
File a lawsuit in federal civil court
Use Fair Housing Act requirements as a defense to an eviction proceeding
(c) CIDNY 2012

3. Filing a Complaint with HUD
Contact your nearest HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) field office or use HUD’s toll-free complaint hotline:
; TDD
Request HUD Form 903.1, a housing discrimination information form
Complete the form as clearly and fully as possible
Include all relevant dates
If a series of events led to the discrimination, describe each event and give its date
Make sure to explain what happened that you believe was discriminatory and why
(c) CIDNY 2012

4. Filing a Complaint with HUD
You may wish to ask a lawyer or advocate for help (see Resources slide)
Keep copies of the form and all related documentation
You MUST file your complaint within one year of the discrimination
HUD should investigate your complaint within 100 days
HUD may forward your complaint to a state or local office for investigation
HUD will try to negotiate an agreement between you and the landlord
(c) CIDNY 2012

5. Filing a Complaint with HUD
If no agreement is reached between you and the landlord, HUD will issue a final report on whether there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred
If HUD concludes that there is reasonable cause, it will issue a charge of discrimination
Once the charge of discrimination is issued, either you or the landlord can move the case to federal court within 20 days
If the case goes to court, you will be represented by the Department of Justice
If the case does not go to court, it will be heard before an administrative judge within 120 days – HUD attorneys will represent you
(c) CIDNY 2012

6. Filing a Lawsuit in Federal Court
Instead of filing a complaint with HUD, you may choose to file a lawsuit directly in federal court
You must file your complaint within two years of the discrimination
If you choose to file a lawsuit, it is best to be represented by a lawyer
If you cannot afford a lawyer, the judge may – but is not required to – appoint a lawyer to represent you
You may be able to find a lawyer who will take your case without advance payment (see Resources section)
If your claim is successful, the defendant may have to pay your attorney’s fees
(c) CIDNY 2012

7. Tips for Success Document, document, document!
Whenever possible, put communications with your landlord in writing
Ask that your landlord put communications to you in writing
Make notes about any conversations with your landlord, including time and date
Save relevant documents, like rental agreements and rental applications
Don’t wait too long to complain
Seek guidance from a lawyer or other advocate
(c) CIDNY 2012

8. Resources
Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY - Queens) Kew Gardens Road, Suite 107 Kew Gardens, NY Fair Housing Justice Center 5 Hanover Square, 17th Floor New York, NY Long Island Housing Services, Inc. 640 Johnson Ave, #8 Bohemia, NY (Suffolk); (Nassau) Housing Works Legal Services 320 West 13th Street New York, NY
Urban Justice Center
123 William Street
New York, NY 10038
Association of the Bar of the City of New York
Legal Referral Service Hotline
(c) CIDNY 2012