1. FHEO Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Briefing for Georgia Elected Officials
February 1, 2007
Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
FAIR HOUSING! IT’S NOT AN OPTION. IT’S THE LAW!!

2. Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)
Enforces the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws
Ensures the right to equal housing opportunity and fair housing choice without discrimination
Promotes & ensures equal opportunity in all HUD-assisted programs

3. FHEO’s Mission Our enforcement of the law covers most
housing transaction in the United States

4. FHEO MISSION
Investigate complaints of housing discrimination/ initiate enforcement
Promote fair housing education and outreach
Monitor recipients of Federal financial assistance
Ensure compliance with civil rights laws

5. Federal Financial Assistance
Includes grants, loans, and advances of Federal funds
Any Federal agreement, arrangement, or other contract that intends, as one of its purposes, to provide assistance.
NOTE: Does not include Tenant-Based Section 8 voucher (subsidy tied to tenant)

6. FHAP
Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) reimburses State & local agencies that enforce laws substantially equivalent to the Fair Housing Act.
There are 103 FHAP Agencies (That includes 36 States,including the District of Columbia, and 67 localities).
As of

7. Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity Gordon Joyner, Executive Director/Administrator Martin Luther King Jr., Drive Atlanta, Georgia Tele: ( 800)

8. FHIP
Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) provides funding to nonprofits, community groups, & faith-based organizations to carry out private enforcement & education.
In 2006, $20.3 million was awarded to 113 Grantees across the country.
As of

9. Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)
provides funding to FHAPs, other local gov’t agencies, and private entities carrying out programs to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices.

10. FHIP Activities Conduct education and outreach
Conduct preliminary investigation of allegations of housing discrimination
File Fair Housing complaints with HUD
Testing
Represent Complainants

11. JC Vision and Associates, Inc
JC Vision and Associates, Inc. Dana Ingram, Executive Director 135-C East Martin Luther King Jr., Drive P.O. Box 1972 Hinesville, Georgia Tele: (912) Fax: (912)

12. Savannah-Chatham County Fair Housing Council David Wayne Dawson, Executive Director 7 Drayton Street, Suite #206 Savannah, Georgia Tele: (912) Fax: (912) Toll Free: (888)

13. FHEO Organizational Structure
10 Regional Offices
Regional FHEO Office located in Atlanta
Receives all housing discrimination inquiries
3 FHEO Centers: Atlanta, Miami, & Louisville.
12 Local HUD Offices (Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Puerto Rico, Knoxville, Memphis, Columbia, Greensboro, Jackson, Birmingham, Louisville)
Investigate cases involving Respondents receiving Federal financial assistance and reactivated
HUD Partners: FHAP & FHIP Agencies

14. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
prohibits housing discrimination because of
in programs and activities receiving
federal financial assistance
File within 180 days of the alleged act
Race
Color
National Origin

15. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (the Fair Housing Act)
prohibits housing discrimination because of:
Race
Color
Religion
Sex
Handicap (disability)
Familial status
National Origin
File within 365 days of the alleged act

16. Section 109 of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving community development funds because of
File within 180 days of the alleged act
Race
Color
Religion
Sex
National Origin

17. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
No qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program receiving HUD funds
File within 180 days of the alleged act

18. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities
Applies to all services, programs, and activities provided or made available by public entities*
Includes all activities of State and local governments whether or not they receive Federal funds
File within 180 days of the alleged act
**Private entities such as hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, doctors’ offices, recreation facilities, etc. are covered by title III of the ADA

19. Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968
Ensure that economic opportunities (Jobs, training, & contracts) resulting from HUD financial assistance will be directed to low and very low-income persons - particularly those receiving government assistance for housing.
File within 180 days of the alleged act

23. Conciliations:
82 conciliated cases provided monetary relief for the complainant for a total of $382K;
53 cases withdrawn with a settlement - complainants received monetary relief for a total amount of $19,100

24. Public interest Settlements.
Ø   Bishop v. Fifth Third Bank, the Respondent provided in loans, grants and other financial support to improve the participation of minority borrowers.
Ø   In Gouisha, Medester v. Kentucky Housing Corporation, $4,000,000 over a two year period for victims of domestic violence and homeless families.
O’Neill v. Astralis Condo Association, a $1,000,000 bond in support of the design and construction improvements.

25. Questions?? Contacts JCVision, (912) 877-4243 (FHIP)
Savannah Chatham FHC, (FHIP)
Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, (FHAP)
US HUD NATIONAL DISCRIMINATION HOTLINE:
HUD REGION IV Discrimination Hotline