The Role Of The FHO
The Equal Opportunities Housing Act, otherwise known as the HUD Fair Housing Act, is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in real estate dealings based on race, religion, sex or national origin. It was established by the Office of Equal Opportunity in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
FHO is also responsible for enforcing and administering federal fair housing regulations and setting policies which ensure that all Americans enjoy equal access to the real estate of their choice. In this regard, the FHO monitors and regulates the sales and purchase of real estate, including pre-foreclosures and distressed properties, and makes sure that fair treatment rules and standards are met. As such, the FHO ensures equal access for minorities to purchase, rent, buy, and live in real estate in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, and the FHO is in charge of investigating cases of discrimination in real estate transactions and making sure that all people involved are treated equally.
The FHO enforces the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and its Fair Lending Program. These programs are designed to help in the recovery of housing markets from the downturn and to prevent future foreclosures. They require real estate brokers, real estate investors, lenders, and mortgage lenders to treat all persons equally. This is done by providing equal access opportunities to minority and disadvantaged groups to purchase, rent, buy, and live in real estate.
To make sure that FHO compliance is achieved, the FHO has the power to fine and/or suspend individuals and entities who do not comply with the law. In other words, the FHO is a watchdog to the real estate industry. For this reason, it does not hesitate to take swift action against those who discriminate against minorities, women, and handicapped persons in their dealings with real estate. In fact, FHO has fined and/or suspended real estate agents who fail to serve minorities, women, and handicapped persons in their dealings with real estate. These fines are intended to encourage honest representation in the sale of real estate and give all persons equal opportunities to buy, rent, buy, and live in real estate.
FHO also publishes the Fair Housing Statement, a document containing FHO policies and practices that are publicly available for the public to view. In addition, FHO publishes FHA Practices Statements, which informs the public about FHA enforcement activities, guidelines, and procedures that are used by FHO in enforcing the FHA’s fair lending program. The FHO is also responsible for monitoring FHA compliance and monitoring compliance by HUD.
The FHO helps in making sure that all persons have equal opportunity to purchase, rent, buy, and live in real estate. It enforces the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Opportunities for Persons Relating to Housing in the District of Columbia, and other federal fair lending laws.