Who is responsible for enforcing the Fair Housing Act?

The correct choice, which identifies the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the responsible party for enforcing the Fair Housing Act, is based on the agency's jurisdiction and designated role in addressing housing discrimination issues. HUD is specifically tasked with administering federal laws and programs aimed at fair housing, which includes overseeing compliance with the Fair Housing Act.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability in housing-related activities. Under this act, HUD is empowered to investigate complaints of discrimination, provide education about fair housing rights, and facilitate compliance through various means, including mediation and enforcement actions when necessary.

While other entities may play roles in broader aspects of housing policy or consumer protection, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, which can also work on fair housing cases, and local authorities that may enforce state or local housing laws, it is HUD that has the primary responsibility for enforcing the federal Fair Housing Act specifically. The Federal Trade Commission is more focused on consumer protection in commerce and would not typically engage in fair housing enforcement, which solidifies the role of HUD in this context.