A Tenant's Union for Everett Housing Authority

 From Google A.I.

if you are experiencing issues with maintenance, fraud, or discrimination, you have several powerful alternative avenues to file a formal complaint.

🏢 1. File a Complaint with HUD

Because housing authorities are funded and regulated by the federal government, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the correct agency to oversee them. [1]

• For Public Housing & Vouchers (Section 8): If your issue involves housing vouchers, maintenance, rent calculations, or general management disputes, you can contact the HUD Public and Indian Housing Customer Service line at 1-800-955-2232. [1]
• For Multifamily Housing: If you live in a HUD-assisted multi-unit property, you can report unsafe conditions, poor maintenance, or fraud directly to the HUD Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at 1-800-685-8470. [1, 2]
• For Fraud or Misuse of Funds: If you suspect management is stealing funds or committing severe regulatory violations, you can file a report through the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline. [1]

⚖️ 2. File a Housing Discrimination Allegation

If your housing authority has treated you unfairly based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), familial status, disability, or domestic violence status, this is illegal.

You can file an official civil rights complaint directly via the HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) portal or by calling 1-800-669-9777. FHEO will investigate the public housing agency, and you have up to one year from the date of the incident to file. [1, 2, 3]

📍 3. Escalating Locally Within the Authority

Before federal agencies step in, they usually expect you to try to resolve the matter locally.

• File a Written Grievance: Request the formal grievance procedure manual from your housing authority's main office. PHAs are legally required to have an official administrative appeal process for residents.
• Contact the Board of Commissioners: Local housing authorities are governed by a Board of Commissioners (often appointed by the mayor or local city council). You can attend their public monthly meetings to air your grievances or submit complaints directly to the board chairperson.
• State Oversight Agencies: Depending on where you live, state agencies (like the Department of Housing and Community Development in your state) also exercise supervisory authority over local PHAs.