Complaint Intake and Enforcement

Following complaint intake, enforcement activities, and assessment of the information gathered, SSFHC staff will meet with you to discuss all of your options for relief. These options include, but are not limited to, filing a claim with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and/or consulting with a private attorney or legal services about filing a lawsuit.

SSFHC provides assistance in requesting reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Reasonable Accommodations: changes to policies and procedures necessary to enable a person with a disability to participate and benefit from housing and related services.

Joint statement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice – Reasonable Accommodations Under the Fair Housing Act

Examples:

• Assistance in completing paperwork
• Allowing working/service animals
• Providing reserved parking
• Providing communication support
• Reminders about tenants obligations

There is no obligation to provide reasonable accommodations, if to do so would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the landlord OR if the accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the services/resources provided by the landlord.

Reasonable Modifications: actual physical changes to a unit. A tenant with a disability has the right to make reasonable modifications, at their own expense, if necessary to enjoy full use of the dwelling and premises.

Joint statement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice – Reasonable Modifications Under the Fair Housing Act

Examples:

• Ramping entrances
• Removing base cabinets
• Installing grab bars
• Widening doors

Before permitting the modifications, the landlord has the right to require that the modifications are carried out in a competent manner. This may include reviewing plans and materials and requiring a licensed contractor be used. The landlord may also require reasonable restoration of the dwelling to its original condition. The requirement may include the opening of an escrow account to pay for the restoration.

If you suspect that you have experienced illegal housing discrimination, contact SSFHC. Our staff members are here to listen to your experience and to assist in determining whether it may be covered by the Fair Housing Act. Those complaints dealing with illegal housing discrimination will be evaluated for further services provided by SSFHC; other complaints will be referred to agencies that handle the specific circumstances of your complaint.

Documenting your experience with discrimination provides valuable evidence. Depending on the circumstances of each case, SSFHC offers the following:

• Client Interviews – identify the specific issues involved in the case
• Housing Discrimination Testing – trained testers monitor housing availability and report their experiences. Learn More
• Surveys – provide data about other residents’ circumstances and experiences
• Witness Interviews – document specific incidences of discrimination
• Property Searches – help to identify potential respondents when filing complaints

The Fair Housing Act provides you with the opportunity to file an administrative housing discrimination claim with HUD. Once a complaint is accepted, HUD will investigate, and attempt to conciliate, your complaint. SSFHC will assist you in filling out the HUD claim form, providing appropriate attachments, and forward the complaint to HUD with a cover letter from our agency. While we cannot provide legal advice, SSFHC staff remain available to you throughout the HUD complaint process.

SSFHC provides and organizes a variety of Fair Housing Trainings each year. Trainings have been attended by community members, advocates, social workers, housing providers, real estate professionals, attorneys, architects, and city planners. SSFHC views fair housing trainings as a proactive enforcement method to address and prevent potential discriminatory acts. In addition, SSFHC conducts trainings for housing providers who have settled fair housing cases.

View SSFHC trainings & Workshop Calendar.