The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a department of the federal government that governs private and public housing in the United States. One of HUD's many divisions, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity enforces laws that ensure fair housing in the US. In regards to discrimination, HUD has established the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal for housing providers to discriminate against tenants or buyers. According to these laws, landlords or sellers cannot refuse to rent, refuse to negotiate, provide substandard conditions, or otherwise harass a buyer/tenant because of their race, color, religion, sex, origin, or disability. If a person has been victimized by housing discrimination, a HUD housing discrimination complaint can be filed to initiate the resolution process, which may sometimes result in monetary damages. On top of the Fair Housing Act, The Office of Fair Housing at HUD also enforces other civil rights laws such as the rehabilitation act and Americans with Disabilities Act.