It is the policy of the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) to provide equal housing opportunities for all qualified residents and applicants. Under the Fair Housing Act, in the selection of families to HOC programs, services or activities; it is unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, marital status, partnership status, military status, lawful occupation, sexual orientation, disability, lawful source of income, or on the grounds that a person is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking. Under this policy, no qualified resident or applicant will be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under HOC’s programs. This policy also prohibits retaliation.
Any resident or applicant who wishes to report housing discrimination or retaliation may file a discrimination complaint by contacting HOC’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Officer at (240) 627-9400. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also provides information for any resident or applicant that feels they have been a victim of housing discrimination. Please contact or visit the websites of the following Federal, State, or local human/civil rights agencies listed below to report housing discrimination or retaliation:
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Philadelphia Regional Office
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Maryland Commission on Civil Rights William Donald Schaefer Tower 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 900 Baltimore, MD 21202-1631 (410) 767-8600 Toll free: (800) 637-6247 TTY: (410) 333-1737 Fax: (410) 333-1841 Click here to file a complaint with MD |
Montgomery County (MoCo) Office of Human Rights 21 Maryland Ave., Suite 330 Rockville, MD 20850 (240) 777-8450 TTY: (240) 777-8480 FAX: (240) 777-8460 Click here to file a complaint with MoCo |
If you are disabled, the TTY numbers listed above are provided for the hearing impaired. Upon request, interpreters, Braille, and help completing the forms, are also available services.
Copies of this policy are available in accessible format to persons with disabilities upon request. If you have any questions regarding fair housing and your participation in an HOC program, please contact (240) 627-9400.
Grievances and Appeals
HOC residents of Public and Opportunity Housing have the right to request an informal grievance hearing where complaints against alleged arbitrary, unfair, or illegal practices can be aired and resolved. Participants of the Housing Choice Voucher program may request an informal grievance hearing only in matters pertaining to the termination of their assistance or reasonable accomodation.
For complete details, please read the HOC Grievance Procedures.