Housing Discrimination Complaints in 2023 Continue to Increase Nationally

The national number of fair housing complaints rose to record numbers for the third year in a row. There were 34,150 fair housing complaints received in 2023, compared to 33,007 complaints in 2022, according to findings in the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA)'s 2024 Fair Housing Trends Report. There also was a sharp increase in the number of harassment complaints which jumped by 470.5% based on color and 114.9% on race.

The source of the data were 86 NFHA member organizations, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s 10 regional offices, and 77 state and local government agencies in HUD’s FHAP program. Information also was obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Most of the millions of housing discrimination incidents each year go unreported because they are difficult to identify or document. All complaints also are not made because individuals might fear facing retaliation or eviction if they file a complaint. Therefore, the total number should be considered an undercount.

Private nonprofit fair housing organizations (FHOs) processed 75.5% of complaints, a 5.6% increase from 2022. These FHOs investigate fair housing complaints, collect data, provide fair housing counseling and education to consumers, and help clients file complaints. Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agencies processed 19.2% of complaints, HUD 5.1% of complaints, and the DOJ  0.1% of complaints. 

As in the previous year, discrimination based on disability accounted for the majority (52.6%) of complaints filed with FHOs, HUD, and FHAP agencies. There were 1,521 complaints of harassment reported, an increase of 66.2%. This is the highest number of harassment complaints reported since NFHA began reporting harassment-specific data in 2006.

Read the July 10, 2024 NFHA article.

Supreme Court Disposes of Case That Could Have Reduced the Ability of “Testers” to Bring Lawsuits

The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) has praised the Supreme Court disposal of a critical case about the ability of testers to determine compliance with civil rights laws. The case regarding a Maine hotel that could have made it harder for people with disabilities to learn in advance whether a hotel’s accommodations meet their needs. Hotels and other business interests had urged the justices to limit the ability of fair housing testers to file lawsuits against hotels that fail to disclose accessibility information on their websites and through other reservation services.

“The Supreme Court exhibited sound judicial prudence in disposing of the Acheson v. Laufer case on mootness grounds. The long-standing precedent allowing for civil rights ‘testers’ to uncover unlawful discrimination across a range of markets – housing, employment, credit, and technology – continues to serve an invaluable function in vindicating our nation’s civil rights laws. The Acheson case had carried significant implications for the ability of “testers” to bring lawsuits, potentially jeopardizing the essential work undertaken by advocates in the pursuit of fair housing and equitable opportunities. Because the potential detrimental effects of this case were so profound, NFHA filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, joined by 50 of our operating members, which are local fair housing enforcement agencies, and three fair housing testers.

The decision provides stability under long-standing Supreme Court jurisprudence to those working to advance fair housing initiatives.  

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Read the December 5, 2023 NFHA release.

Read the December 5, 2023 Evansville Tristate Homepage article.