In Fair Housing Act proceedings, what is the role of a Complainant?

• A. A person who files a complaint
• B. The person who investigates
• C. The person who enforces
• D. The court

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is who initiates the Fair Housing Act process by taking formal action. In these proceedings, the Complainant is the person who files the complaint with the enforcing agency (such as HUD or a state/local fair housing agency) alleging discrimination. This person is the one who experienced or believes they experienced housing discrimination and takes the first formal step to bring the matter to the agency’s attention. The investigation, any attempts at conciliation, and potential enforcement actions are driven by that complaint, with agency staff handling the investigation and enforcement, and the court coming into play only if a civil action is pursued after the agency process. So the Complainant’s role is to initiate the process by filing the complaint.