The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits the discrimination in housing against a person based on the person’s membership in one or more of the groups protected under the Act. (Learn more on our “Know Your Rights” page and in our brochures.) In addition, North Carolina’s State Fair Housing Act, Chapter 41A of the N.C. General Statutes, and several county and city fair housing ordinances prohibit discrimination in housing.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the main federal agency responsible for enforcing the federal Fair Housing Act. To further fair housing enforcement throughout the country, HUD funds local and state agencies to investigate and enforce fair housing laws at the state and local level.
To qualify for FHAP certification, a state, local, or municipal agency must operate according to a “substantially equivalent” fair housing law, one determined by HUD to provide substantially the same rights, procedures, remedies and judicial review as the federal Fair Housing Act. FHAP agencies must also submit annual fair housing plans to HUD, including a local analysis of fair housing in the area with demographic information and a report on impediments to fair housing.
The state and local agencies that investigate fair housing complaints in North Carolina are:
State agency: North Carolina Human Relations Commission
Localities:
City of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Community Relations Committee
Durham Human Relations Commission
Greensboro Human Relations Department
Orange County Human Relations Commission
Winston-Salem Human Relations Commission
The Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina is available to provide information concerning a person’s rights under the federal Fair Housing Act as well as under state and local laws.
If you believe you are a victim of discrimination in housing, contact us at 1-855-797-FAIR (3247) for assistance. When necessary, staff can assist you in filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or other appropriate administrative or judicial bodies. Contact us for more information.
