The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened civil rights investigations into housing programs at two public universities after complaints alleged the schools promote or operate residential communities based on race, the agency announced.

HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is investigating the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota to determine whether their campus housing programs violate the Fair Housing Act by steering or advertising housing opportunities based on race or ethnicity.

The investigations stem from complaints filed by the Equal Protection Project, which argues that the universities' themed residential communities unlawfully classify students by race even if participation is technically open to all students. The complaints contend that marketing housing around racial or ethnic identity amounts to prohibited discrimination under federal law.

HUD officials said the agency is examining whether the housing programs comply with federal fair housing requirements. If investigators conclude the universities violated the law, the schools could face enforcement actions that include financial penalties or requirements to change or eliminate the housing programs.