Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 states that it is the policy of the United States to provide for fair housing throughout the country and the Act prohibits any person from discriminating in the sale or rental of housing, the financing of housing, or the provision of brokerage services, including or otherwise making unavailable or denying a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, or familial status. The State of Tennessee echoes such goal and has also adopted legislation protecting equal access to housing. 

Nationally, fair housing and impediments to fair housing are monitored by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the use of Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) funding for fair housing advocacy groups. This role of HUD to act as an administrator of fair housing programs originated in 1968 with the passage of the Civil Rights Act, described below. As a qualified entitlement jurisdiction, the City of Clarksville also receives HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds from HUD. 

Each grantee which receives CDBG funding under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act is required to further fair housing and fair housing planning by conducting an analysis to identify impediments to fair housing choice within those cities/communities within its jurisdiction. The grantee will also take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified and will maintain records which reflect the analysis and actions taken in this regard.

HOW TO FILE A  FAIR HOUSING COMPLAINT

Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to buy a home or rent an apartment and you believe your housing resources rights have been violated, or if you feel your renter’s rights or right to fair housing have been denied, you can file a fair housing complaint.

There are several ways to file a complaint. If you need assistance call City of Clarksville Neighborhood and Community Services main phone line 931-648-6133.

You can file a complaint yourself by using the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development website. Click on the link and you can complete an online form or print out a form and write out your complaint. If you choose to write your complaint out, you can then send it to the Nashville, TN. HUD office.

If you do not have access to a computer, you can write a letter to the Nashville, TN Regional Office of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Nashville Field Office
235 Cumberland Bend Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37228-1803

Phone: (615) 736-5600
Fax: (615) 736-7848
TTY: (866) 503-0264

You can also call HUD toll free at 1-800-669-9777 (or 1-800-927-9275 for TTY).
Include in the letter:
• Your name and address
• The name and address of the person your complaint is about
• The address of the house or apartment you were trying to rent or buy
• The date when this incident occurred
• A short description of what happened

Mailing address: One Public Square, 2nd Floor, Suite 201, Clarksville, TN 37040-3463
Fax: 931-503-3092 TTY: 931-221-0655 

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice-2012

Your Rights and Duties as a Renter

5-23-2022 FHB Audio Recording Meeting