Filing a Complaint of Housing Discrimination

Navigating the OHR complaint process requires detailed coordination of jurisdictional procedures by the OHR staff. Complaints of housing discrimination investigated under federal law include the bases of race, color, religion, sex (includes sexual harassment), national origin, age, disability, familial status and retaliation. Complaints investigated under local law, Chapter 57, include the additional basis of sexual orientation. If your complaint alleges any other type of discrimination or unfair treatment, the OHR has no jurisdiction in the matter.

To file a complaint of housing discrimination, the complaint must be in writing and notarized. Keep in mind that the OHR staff members are available to guide you through the filing process.

• Call or walk-in to the OHR to discuss your complaint with a knowledgeable staff member. If you call and your complaint meets the requisite standards, an appointment will be scheduled for you to come to the office, complete and sign the paperwork necessary to file an official complaint. If you walk-in and your complaint meets the requisite standards, an appointment will be scheduled for you or you will be able to complete and sign the paperwork necessary during your office visit, subject to openings in the schedule and staff availability.
   
• If you have called and have an appointment scheduled, you may print the appropriate questionnaire from the OHR website, complete and bring it with you when you come to the office; if you have not completed the questionnaire, you may do so during your office visit.
   
• During your office visit you will need to complete one or more Affidavits. The information requested will include names, addresses and phone numbers of the housing provider that committed the act of discrimination, and witnesses. It is important to remember that should any of the contact information change for anyone referenced in your complaint, including yourself, prior to your receiving notification that your case is closed, you are to forward the new contact information to the agency that is processing your complaint, i.e., the OHR or HUD. Additionally, you will need to provide an account of the alleged discriminatory action(s), in chronological order if possible, along with any documents in your possession that may be relevant to your complaint.
   
• Provide as much information as possible about all parties involved in the alleged act of discrimination, most importantly the correct name and address of the housing provider (landlord, property management company, lending institution, insurance company that provides homeowners coverage, etc.) that you believe committed the act. Also important, if you have filed this complaint with HUD and/or FCHR, please disclose this to the OHR.
   
• Once your complaint is taken and your signature is affixed and notarized (you will need photo identification), your complaint will be kept for processing by the OHR or forwarded to HUD or FCHR for disposition.
   
• Once you have filed a complaint, you will be given a detailed explanation of what to expect regarding which agency will process your complaint, the investigative process and what participation is expected of you.