The FHJC is saying thank you and farewell to one of its co-founders.
After a fair housing career spanning nearly five decades, Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) co-founder Fred Freiberg has announced his retirement.
A pioneering expert in fair housing testing and enforcement, Fred has supervised more than twelve thousand undercover investigations, participated in more than 1,500 tests, testified in dozens of fair housing cases, published articles on fair housing, consulted on several award-winning documentaries, and received numerous awards. His proven ability to document even the most subtle discriminatory practices, often deceptively disguised by common courtesies, has set the standard for fair housing law enforcement.
Fred began his career in 1976 as a community organizer on Milwaukee’s west side and later co-founded and became the first Executive Director of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council (MMFHC).
In 1992 he joined the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, where he helped establish a national testing program which he directed for nearly eight years. before moving to NYC in 2004, Fred worked with the Urban Institute to direct the fieldwork in two national research projects, the third and largest HUD-sponsored Housing Discrimination Study (HDS), and a cutting-edge testing study that examined discrimination in mortgage lending.
In 2005, Fred co-founded the FHJC with his wife, Diane Houk, initially serving as the Field Services Director before becoming Executive Director in 2012. Over its 20 years of existence, the FHJC achieved national prominence, raised the bar for effective fair housing law enforcement, advocated for new fair housing laws and policies, and increased public awareness of fair housing rights.
Fred stepped down as Executive Director in 2021, becoming the FHJC’s National Field Consultant working part-time on fair housing projects of national significance. He also remained active with Investigative Support for Testing & Enforcement Programs (ISTEP)—a role he plans to continue during retirement—providing in-depth training and ongoing technical assistance to nonprofit testing organizations across the nation.
Fred was honored for his leadership at the FHJC’s recent 20th Anniversary celebration. His departure marks the end of an era for the organization and the greater fair housing community.
“Fred Freiberg’s leadership has left an indelible mark on the fair housing movement,” said FHJC Board member Bernhard Blythe. “As the Board’s longest-serving member, I’ve witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment to justice, his deep expertise, and the compassion he brought to every aspect of the work. Fred didn’t just lead the FHJC—he shaped it into a national model for fair housing enforcement and advocacy. We are deeply grateful for his vision and tireless dedication.”
Longtime fair housing leader William Tisdale said, “For the past 47 years of my career in fair housing, I’ve had the opportunity and have been privileged to work with some of the finest minds in this field. I can unequivocally state that Fred’s contributions to the cause of fair housing are unmatched. His knowledge, advocacy, creativity and courage have done more to advance fair housing enforcement and extend opportunities to those seeking protection guaranteed by law than anyone else I can name. Well done my Friend!”
Though he steps away from day-to-day work, Fred’s influence will endure.
In his farewell message to the FHJC staff and board, he shared words of inspiration. “My experience with the FHJC confirms what I have always believed: That we only make progress toward ‘a more perfect union’ when diverse groups of people selflessly and tirelessly work together in pursuit of democratic ideals that are, as former President Barack Obama once stated, ‘bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions, greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.’”
The mission of FHJC, a nonprofit civil rights organization, is to eliminate housing discrimination; promote policies and programs that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and strengthen enforcement of fair housing laws in the New York City region.