Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence is a non-profit fair housing agency that receives complaints regarding discrimination experienced by people looking for homes or related services based on one or more of the person’s protected classes . Consequently when HOPE, Inc. is being considered as a source of assistance by a citizen, we are committed to help find the best resolution for all individuals.

Unfortunately, not all issues raised fall within the jurisdictional claims that our office can pursue. According to the Fair Housing Act, jurisdictional complaints are those regarding “discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability)”.

When complaints are outside of our jurisdiction, we will gather all available information so that we may guide our callers to the appropriate resources. For instance, we work closely with community organizations as well as state and national entities so that our Intake Coordinator may provide the referral that is best suited for each complaint or inquiry.

On the other hand, if complaints are within our jurisdiction, then the Intake Coordinator will gather all of the available information, such as business documents or written statements from witnesses, that could support the claim. These materials may be used to support jurisdictional complaints.

Once the Intake Coordinator receives the client’s complaint information and documentation, she or he will forward it to the private enforcement team within HOPE, Inc. Although this office may have the jurisdiction to investigate and/or supervise complaints, there are additional civil rights agencies and entities with which HOPE, Inc. often works to enforce housing discrimination violations. These include advocacy organizations and law firms specializing in fair housing as well as various departments of local, state and federal governmet.