Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) kicked off Fair Housing Month 2022. This year’s Fair Housing Month theme, Fair Housing: More Than Just Words, underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment and progress toward advancing equity in housing and securing equal access to housing opportunities for all.
“The Fair Housing Act recognized what generations have known – that where we live impacts nearly every part of our lives,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “Fair Housing Month is a time to recommit to our mission to promote fairness, inclusion, and justice in housing. This month and every month, we are doing everything in our power to ensure every person has a fair shot at the American dream.”
“Although the Fair Housing Act was passed 54 years ago, we are still fighting against discrimination in housing today,” said Demetria L. McCain, Principal Deputy Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “This April, HUD is renewing its commitment to end housing discrimination and to ensure every person has equal access to safe, affordable housing.”
Each April, HUD, local communities, fair housing advocates, and fair housing organizations across the country celebrate Fair Housing Month by hosting an array of fair housing activities that highlight fair housing enforcement efforts, enhance public awareness of fair housing rights, and emphasize the importance of creating diverse and inclusive communities.
Secretary Fudge will commemorate Fair Housing Month with a virtual celebration on April 5th at 2:00 P.M. (EDT) that will also feature the U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke; HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Demetria McCain; HUD General Counsel Damon Smith; and Executive Director of the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) and FHEO Regional III Director Melody Taylor. The event will showcase HUD’s efforts to advance and protect fair housing rights to ensure that all people have the right to obtain the housing of their choice, free from discrimination. Register for the Fair Housing Month Virtual Celebration here.
To mark the first day of Fair Housing Month, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is launching a Twitter and Facebook page. Follow the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity on Twitter and Facebook for additional news and updates.
In 2021, HUD and its Fair Housing Assistance Program partner agencies received more than 8,500 complaints alleging discrimination based on one or more of the Fair Housing Act’s seven protected classes: race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), family status, and disability. Last year, the categories with the highest number of complaints were disability and race, respectively. HUD also received complaints alleging lending discrimination and numerous complaints from women who faced sexual harassment.
For a complete listing of HUD Fair Housing Month events and activities, go to: www.hud.gov/FHM2022.
People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (Relay). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to hud.gov/fair housing.