Legal Definitions - FHEO

Definition: FHEO is an abbreviation for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Its mission is to ensure that everyone has equal access to housing and that no one is discriminated against based on their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status.

For example, if a landlord refuses to rent an apartment to someone because of their race, that would be a violation of fair housing laws and the FHEO would investigate and take action to ensure that the landlord is held accountable.

Another example would be if a person with a disability is denied a reasonable accommodation, such as a wheelchair ramp, by their landlord. The FHEO would investigate and take action to ensure that the person's rights are protected.