Fair Housing Partnerships

In this Guide

Find Partners

Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)

Work with Agencies

Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP)

Laptop with squares rising from the screen

Put it in Writing

Memorandum of Understanding

Fund Your Work

NAR Fair Housing Grants

Find Partners: Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)

Why FHIP matters to real estate professionals

Fair housing organizations supported through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) work directly with consumers and communities to support fair housing. They provide education and outreach, investigate allegations of discrimination, conduct fair housing testing, and identify local barriers to housing opportunity. For REALTOR® associations, FHIP organizations can be valuable partners because they bring local insight into the questions, risks, and barriers affecting consumers and housing professionals.

REALTOR® associations can use those insights to shape practical member education, support sound brokerage practices, and build stronger advocacy and community partnerships.

FHIP FAQs

FHIP Partnerships in Action

Michigan REALTORS®

Michigan REALTORS® has built a long-running partnership with the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan and other fair housing centers across the state. The work began in the early 1990s and expanded after a mid-2000s discrimination complaint in the Detroit area. In response, Michigan REALTORS® worked with fair housing partners to understand the issues, support voluntary testing, and develop intensive fair housing training for members. Since then, the partnership has continued through statewide trainings, broker education, and joint risk assessment. In 2025, Michigan REALTORS® also provided funding support that helped fair housing centers sustain education and fair housing programming at a time of heightened demand.

REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley

The REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) partners with Mass Fair Housing, a regional fair housing nonprofit, to bring expertise into new member orientation and training events. With support from NAR Fair Housing Grants, the partnership connects fair housing education to the daily work of serving consumers, housing providers, and property owners.

“Collaborating with local fair housing chapters is highly advantageous, as they contribute invaluable real-life scenarios to the educational presentations. These authentic examples helped attendees gain deeper insights into the practical applications of fair housing practices, making the content more relatable and impactful.” (RAPV)

Work with Agencies: Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP)

FHAP agencies are state or local government agencies that partner with HUD on fair housing enforcement. They process, investigate, and enforce complaints under state or local laws that are substantially equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act. Many FHAP agencies also provide education and outreach to help the public and housing professionals understand fair housing rights and responsibilities. For associations, brokerages, and agents, FHAP partnerships can clarify local compliance expectations and reinforce fair housing as part of professional practice.

How a complaint moves from HUD to a FHAP agency

STEP 1 →

Complaint filed with HUD

A fair housing complaint comes to HUD.

STEP 2 →

HUD refers the complaint

When the state or local law is "substantially equivalent" to the federal Fair Housing Act.

STEP 3 →

FHAP agency investigates and enforces

Under state or local fair housing law.

THROUGHOUT

HUD partnership and oversight

HUD stays involved as the FHAP agency handles the case.

FHAP FAQs

Put it in Writing: Memorandum of Understanding

Maryland REALTORS® and Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

MOU signed May 2026

Maryland REALTORS® and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights announced an MOU in May 2026 to strengthen fair housing enforcement, education, outreach, and accountability across the state. The agreement gives Maryland REALTORS® a formal way to work with the state’s civil rights agency, share information, and help members understand how fair housing law and Article 10 of the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics connect in practice. In announcing the partnership, Maryland REALTORS® said the agreement reflects the association’s commitment to fair housing and creates “an efficient and holistic approach” to accountability, education, and outreach.