There are a few different ways to file a fair housing complaint: through an administrative process or by filing a lawsuit in court.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the federal Fair Housing Act.
To further fair housing enforcement throughout the country, HUD enters into cooperative agreements with local and state agencies to investigate and enforce fair housing laws at the state and local level. In Hawaii, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) has been certified by HUD to investigate and enforce fair housing laws.
Please be advised that there are statutes of limitations for filing a complaint with these agencies.
The statutes of limitations begin to run on the last incident of discrimination.
The statutes of limitations are 180 days for an HCRC complaint, 1 year with HUD, and 2 years to file a private civil action in court.
If you believe you are a victim of discrimination in housing, contact us at (808) 536-4302 for assistance. Legal Aid's Intake Hotline will confirm that you are eligible for our services and when necessary, the fair housing enforcement program staff may be able to assist you in filing a complaint.
If you would like to file a complaint directly, you can do so by completing the following steps:
1. Fill out and sign the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission’s “Pre-Complaint Questionnaire” located on our “Resources” page.
2. Print out the completed and signed PCQ and personally deliver or mail the original and two copies to HCRC at:
Hawaii Civil Rights Commission
830 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
A complaint filed with HCRC alleging violations of federal fair housing law will be dual filed with HUD.
If you are beyond the 180 day statute of limitations to file with HCRC but within one year from the last date of discrimination,
you can file a complaint directly with HUD by following the link below:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the federal Fair Housing Act.
To further fair housing enforcement throughout the country, HUD enters into cooperative agreements with local and state agencies to investigate and enforce fair housing laws at the state and local level. In Hawaii, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) has been certified by HUD to investigate and enforce fair housing laws.
Please be advised that there are statutes of limitations for filing a complaint with these agencies.
The statutes of limitations begin to run on the last incident of discrimination.
The statutes of limitations are 180 days for an HCRC complaint, 1 year with HUD, and 2 years to file a private civil action in court.
If you believe you are a victim of discrimination in housing, contact us at (808) 536-4302 for assistance. Legal Aid's Intake Hotline will confirm that you are eligible for our services and when necessary, the fair housing enforcement program staff may be able to assist you in filing a complaint.
If you would like to file a complaint directly, you can do so by completing the following steps:
1. Fill out and sign the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission’s “Pre-Complaint Questionnaire” located on our “Resources” page.
2. Print out the completed and signed PCQ and personally deliver or mail the original and two copies to HCRC at:
Hawaii Civil Rights Commission
830 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
A complaint filed with HCRC alleging violations of federal fair housing law will be dual filed with HUD.
If you are beyond the 180 day statute of limitations to file with HCRC but within one year from the last date of discrimination,
you can file a complaint directly with HUD by following the link below:
Please note that your housing discrimination complaint filed with HUD or HCRC will be reviewed by an investigator from the appropriate agency.
They will contact you for any additional information needed to complete their review.
If your complaint involves a possible violation of the Fair Housing Act, the investigator will assist you in filing an official housing discrimination complaint.
They will contact you for any additional information needed to complete their review.
If your complaint involves a possible violation of the Fair Housing Act, the investigator will assist you in filing an official housing discrimination complaint.
