Federal Fair Housing Laws

 

The Federal Fair Housing Act

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, is called the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap and familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18). The Act deals with the sale, rental or financing of housing, as well as any advertisements or statements with respect to housing. The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency that administers and enforces the Act.  Watch the fair housing video or the public service announcement video to learn how a person is protected under the Fair Housing Act.
 
More information on the Federal Fair Housing Act and available resources can be found on the HUD website under Fair Housing.

Fair Housing in Colorado
For information about the Fair Housing Act, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, prohibited housing practices, prohibited lending practices, and more, download our summary of Fair Housing Laws in Colorado.

Where to go for Help
If you believe that you are the victim of housing discrimination, you may contact one of the agencies listed below to file a complaint. These agencies will investigate your complaint and take the appropriate action. A complaint must be filed with the appropriate agency within one year of the alleged act of discrimination.

Denver Metro Fair Housing Center: The Denver Metro Fair Housing Center provides information and assistance to individuals who may have experienced or have questions about housing discrimination.  For information about discrimination or fair housing law, or for assistance in filing a complaint, you can visit their website or call them at 720.279.4291 to speak to a housing specialist.

Colorado Civil Rights Division: You may file a discrimination complaint directly with the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Civil Rights.   Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Colorado Civil Rights Division and HUD, the Division accepts and investigates a complaint jointly filed under both Colorado and federal law.  For information about the Colorado Civil Rights Division you can visit their website, available in both English and Spanish. You may also contact them directly at 303.894.2997 for English or Spanish, or for hearing impaired by dialing 711.

U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD is the federal agency responsible for administering the Fair Housing Act. Within HUD, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is the office that receives complaints. To file a complaint, contact the Denver HUD Fair Housing office at 1.800.877.7353 or HUD's Discrimination Hotline at 1.800.669.9777. You can also download the discrimination complaint form and instructions by accessing HUD's website. HUD will investigate the complaint at no charge to you. If you are hearing or speech impaired, you can reach the HUD Fair Housing office through the TTY service at 1.800.927.9275.