42 U.S.C. § 3616
Cooperation with State and local agencies administering fair housing laws; utilization of services and personnel; reimbursement; written agreements; publication in Federal Register (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (42 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
The Secretary may cooperate with State and local agencies charged with the administration of State and local fair housing laws and, with the consent of such agencies, utilize the services of such agencies and their employees and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, may reimburse such agencies and their employees for services rendered to assist him in carrying out this subchapter. In furtherance of such cooperative efforts, the Secretary may enter into written agreements with such State or local agencies. All agreements and terminations thereof shall be published in the Federal Register.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 3616, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is authorized to work alongside state and local agencies that enforce their own fair housing laws. With those agencies' consent, HUD may use their staff and resources, and may pay them for that assistance. Any formal cooperative agreements—and any endings of those agreements—must be published in the Federal Register so the public can see them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under state or local fair housing oversight should be aware that, under 42 U.S.C. § 3616, the agency handling a complaint may be acting in coordination with HUD through a formal written agreement. Compliant operators generally maintain consistent fair housing practices regardless of whether a complaint is being processed at the federal, state, or local level, since these agencies can share resources and personnel. Staying informed about published Federal Register notices can help operators understand which agencies in their area have active cooperative arrangements with HUD.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 3616, tenants who believe their fair housing rights have been violated may have multiple avenues available, since HUD can partner with state and local fair housing agencies to investigate complaints. This means a complaint filed with a local or state agency may involve coordination with federal enforcement resources. Tenants can contact their local fair housing agency, a tenant-rights organization, or HUD directly to learn more about which cooperative agreements are in place and what options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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