usc 12 § 4545
Fair housing (BANKS AND BANKING (12 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall— by regulation, prohibit each enterprise from discriminating in any manner in the purchase of any mortgage because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, age, or national origin, including any consideration of the age or location of the dwelling or the age of the neighborhood or census tract where the dwelling is located in a manner that has a discriminatory effect; by regulation, require each enterprise to submit data to the Secretary to assist the Secretary in investigating whether a mortgage lender with which the enterprise does business has failed to comply with the Fair Housing Act [ et seq.]; by regulation, require each enterprise to submit data to the Secretary to assist in investigating whether a mortgage lender with which the enterprise does business has failed to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act [ et seq.], and shall submit any such information received to the appropriate Federal agencies, as provided in section 704 of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act [], for appropriate action; obtain information from other regulatory and enforcement agencies of the Federal Government and State and local governments regarding violations by lenders of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and make such information available to the enterprises; direct the enterprises to undertake various remedial actions, including suspension, probation, reprimand, or settlement, against lenders that have been found to have engaged in discriminatory lending practices in violation of the Fair Housing Act or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, pursuant to a final adjudication on the record, and after opportunity for an administrative hearing, in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5; and periodically review and comment on the underwriting and appraisal guidelines of each enterprise to ensure that such guidelines are consistent with the Fair Housing Act and this section.
Under 12 U.S.C. § 4545, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is directed to establish rules preventing government-sponsored mortgage enterprises from making mortgage purchase decisions based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, or national origin. The provision also requires those enterprises to report data about their lending partners to help federal authorities detect potential violations of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Additionally, HUD must periodically review enterprise underwriting and appraisal guidelines to confirm they remain consistent with fair housing principles, and may direct remedial actions—including suspension or reprimand—against lenders found to have engaged in discriminatory practices after a formal adjudication.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who work with mortgage lenders should be aware that 12 U.S.C. § 4545 creates a federal oversight framework in which government-sponsored enterprises are required to report lender conduct data to HUD. Compliant operators in the housing market generally ensure that any financing arrangements they facilitate do not involve lenders with documented fair lending violations, since such lenders may face suspension or other sanctions from the enterprises. Staying informed about whether lending partners are in good standing with enterprise requirements is a common practice among operators seeking to avoid disruptions in mortgage transactions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 12 U.S.C. § 4545, homebuyers and borrowers benefit from a system in which HUD actively monitors whether mortgage enterprises and their lending partners are complying with the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. If a borrower believes they were denied a mortgage or treated differently because of a protected characteristic such as race, national origin, or disability, this provision establishes federal channels through which such conduct may be investigated and acted upon. Individuals who suspect discriminatory mortgage practices may consider filing a complaint with HUD, contacting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or reaching out to a local tenant- or housing-rights organization to learn about available options.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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