State and Local Partners: Fair Housing Assistance Program

Through the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), HUD certifies state and local agencies that administer substantially equivalent fair housing laws to process and investigate complaints through an intergovernmental enforcement partnership. Individuals who have experienced housing discrimination may file complaints directly with state or local agencies that investigate fair housing complaints, although the deadlines for filing with state or local agencies vary.

Generally, when HUD receives a complaint alleging discrimination that is also within the jurisdiction of a certified substantially equivalent state or local agency, it will refer the complaint to the certified state or local agency for investigation, conciliation and enforcement activities. Most fair housing complaints are investigated by organizations operating at the state or local level.

You can find the names of and more information about your local HUD-certified FHAP agencies on the HUD website.