The Fair Housing Act authorizes the __________ to bring civil actions if there is cause to believe that any person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any rights granted by this title.

• A. Federal District Court
• B. NYS Governor
• C. Attorney General
• D. HUD

Answer: (C)

When the Fair Housing Act is used to address widespread discrimination, the government enforces it through pattern-or-practice actions. The authority to file these civil actions in federal district court is held by the Attorney General. This provision gives the federal government a direct tool to stop and remedy discrimination that affects a broad group of people, not just a single incident, and to obtain relief for those affected. While HUD can investigate and take action in various manners and individuals can sue for their own rights, the specific power to initiate pattern-or-practice civil actions is the Attorney General’s.