Private Enforcement Initiatives

To support private non-profit fair housing enforcement organizations in the investigation and enforcement of violations of the rights granted under title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 2801); develop, implement, and carry out, related activities and enforcement under the Fair Housing Act or State or local laws that provide substantially equivalent rights and remedies for alleged discriminatory housing practices; objectives include carrying out testing and other investigative activities.

Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations (QFHO) with at least two years of experience in complaint intake, complaint investigation, testing for fair housing violations, and enforcement related experience and meritorious claims in the three years prior to filing the application for funding; or Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations (FHO) with at least one year of experience in the enforcement-related activities listed above in the two years prior to the filing of the application for funding. If the applicant is neither a QFHO nor FHO with the requisite experience, the organization is ineligible for funding under the Private Enforcement Initiative.

The selection criteria are based on rating and ranking by a Technical Evaluation Panel. Under this competitive process, applicants are ranked based on Rating Factors points, preference points, and past performance and applicant risk. The specific criteria and associated points assigned are listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Fiscal year 2025: Grant funds will be used to: implement an expanded program of paired sales and rental testing, paired mortgage lending tests, reasonable accommodation testing and accessibility surveys; provide a hotline for housing providers seeking legal advice on fair housing laws; conduct fair housing trainings and webinars for housing providers and industry professionals; provide Fair Housing outreach to the community; conduct intakes on housing discrimination allegations; file fair housing complaints; conduct litigation and mediations; and monitor past settlements to ensure compliance.