- Home
- Departments
- Diversity & Equity
- Important Links & Videos
- File a Discrimination Complaint
File a Discrimination Complaint
The Office of Diversity and Equity will assist New Hanover County and City of Wilmington residents through the process of submitting a complaint of discrimination to the state and federal agencies that complete investigations and enforce anti-discrimination laws in North Carolina, such as:
- North Carolina Human Relations Commission (NCHRC)
- Legal Aid of North Carolina
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- US Department of Justice
| Type of Discrimination | Pre-Intake | Intake | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Complete the Employment Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF) and submit a copy to the Office of Diversity and Equity. | With assistance from the Office of Diversity and Equity, submit the Employment Discrimination Complaint Form to the North Carolina Human Relations Commission (NCHRC). The NCHRC works with the EEOC to enforce state and federal anti-discrimination laws in North Carolina. | A complaint must be filed with the NCHRC within 180 days from the date of the alleged violation. A complaint must be filed within 180 days from the date of the alleged violation if submitted directly to EEOC. |
| Housing | Complete the Housing Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF) (Spanish (PDF)) and submit a copy to the Office of Diversity and Equity. | With assistance from the Office of Diversity & Equity, submit a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD then routes the complaint to the NCHRC. | No specified time frame, but the sooner the complaint is submitted the better. |
| Disability / Public Access | Complete the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF) and submit a copy to the Office of Diversity and Equity. | With assistance from the Office of Diversity and Equity, submit an ADA Discrimination complaint form to the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. After the complaint is received and reviewed, you will be informed of their response. | No specified time frame, but the sooner the complaint is submitted the better. |
| Other | Complete and submit the online form. | The Office of Diversity and Equity will make recommendations and referrals to other agencies as needed. | No specified time frame, but the sooner the complaint is submitted the better. |
You may email, mail, or drop off your form in person to the Office of Diversity and Equity. All individuals are welcome to email and set up an appointment at the Government Center or at a mutually convenient location.
After a discrimination complaint form is received, the Office of Diversity and Equity will review the form for appropriateness and completeness, then submit or assist in submitting it to appropriate agencies. Committee members will be notified of your complaint of discrimination in a confidential manner.
In addition to helping you submit a claim of discrimination, the Office of Diversity and Equity or designee may also:
- Refer you to other resources to assist you with your complaint of discrimination
- Make policy recommendations to the County Commissioners and City Council to reduce or eliminate the root issue causing issues of discrimination
- Once the recommendation and resources have been provided on your behalf, the Office of Equity and Diversity or designee will follow up with you periodically to find out the status of your complaint