DPOR's Fair Housing Office

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s Fair Housing Office is responsible for investigating housing discrimination complaints. Complaints must be filed in writing within one year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred or terminated. Complaints accepted for investigation are investigated and the parties have an opportunity to participate in conciliation, a voluntary process in which the parties attempt to resolve the complaint by agreeing to mutually acceptable terms.

• If conciliation is successful, the investigation will be suspended. If conciliation is unsuccessful, or if one of the parties does not want to attempt conciliation, the investigation continues until it is complete. The investigator then writes a final investigative report (FIR) which is presented to the Fair Housing Board (or the Real Estate Board for complaints involving real estate licensees or their employees). If conciliation is successful and both parties reach an agreement, the Board may vote to accept the conciliation agreement.
• If conciliation is unsuccessful in resolving the complaint, or if the Board fails to accept an agreement, the Board will either dismiss the complaint or determine if reasonable cause exists to support a charge of discrimination. In cases where the Board determines reasonable cause and issues a charge of discrimination, the Attorney General's Office brings civil suit in circuit court seeking relief for the complainant.

If you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, you may file a complaint by downloading the Housing Discrimination Complaint Form at: http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/uploadedFiles/MainSite/Content/FairHousing/VFHO_COMPLAINT_FRM.pdf
Please complete the form with as much detail as possible, then send it to:

Virginia Fair Housing Office
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233