Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act protects individuals and families from discrimination in the sale, rental, financing or advertising of housing based on their race, color, religion, family status, national origin, sex, or disability. HCD is committed to promoting fair housing and providing quality affordable homes in all neighborhoods.
Fair Housing Resources
FAIR HOUSING & TENANT/LANDLORD HOTLINE
Have you experienced housing discrimination?
Housing discrimination is illegal in nearly all housing, including private housing, public housing, and housing that receives federal funding.
Why am I being denied housing
based on the way that I look?
Why is housing becoming more expensive
in my community?
Be involved in the planning and development of our five-year strategic plans, the 2025 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. Learn more about your fair housing rights and planning for your FUTURE!
HCD wants to inform you about your fair housing rights and receive feedback about your community needs.
Learn Your Rights
Race: A grouping of humans based on shared physical or genetic traits
Examples of discrimination based on race:
- A landlord or lender steers a black family from renting or purchasing a home in a predominately white neighborhood because they are black
- A landlord or lender includes different terms or conditions in leases, sales or loans – like imposing higher interest rates on loans for Hispanic persons
- Appraisers under- or over-appraise property that is owned or bought by a person of color
Download this poster in English | Arabic | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
Color: The shade of skin as an indication of someone's race or ethniticity
Examples of discrimination based on color:
- A real estate agent shows homes located in low-income neighborhoods only to people with darker skin colors
- A real estate agent persuades owners to sell, rent or deny their property due to the pigment of someone’s skin
Download this poster in English | Arabic | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
Religion: A particular system of faith and worship
Examples of discrimination based on religion:
- A leasing agent quotes waiting periods for available units to someone wearing a head covering when apartments are immediately available
- A property management company prohibits head coverings in common areas of a housing complex
- A landlord denies a dwelling to someone because they are Jewish
Download this poster in English | Arabic | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
Familial Status: Households that have children under the age of 18 or are expecting a child
Examples of discrimination based on familial status:
- A landlord refuses to rent a one-bedroom to a parent with a child
- A landlord produces discriminatory advertisements, like advertisements that say “no children”
- A landlord restricts residents with children to certain buildings in a complex
Download this poster in English | Arabic | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
National Origin: persons from another country or part of the world
Examples of discrimination based on national origin:
- A real estate agent refuses to assist a homebuyer who has a limited English proficiency
- A property management company requires residents to speak English in common areas
Download this poster in English | Arabic | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
Sex: The characteristics pertaining to and differentiating between masculinity and femininity based on biological sex
Examples of discrimination based on sex:
- A landlord offers to reduce the rent or other housing benefits in lieu of sexual favors
- A landlord denies access to or a membership in a facility or service due to someone’s biological sex
Download this poster in English | Arabic | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
Disability: A person who experiences functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of life activity
Examples of discrimination based on disability: a landlord or property manager refuses to provide updates to housing units to assist with these or other concerns:
- Self-care
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-direction
- Receptive or expressive language
- Capacity for independent living
- Economic self-sufficiency
Download this poster in English | Arabic | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese
You can also find more information at any of these resources:
The Greater Houston Fair Housing Center provides free services to people who may have experienced housing discrimination.
A comprehensive guide on Tenant Rights can be found at The Texas Bar . Upon request, we can also provide a hard copy of this booklet.
Additional reports of housing discrimination can be made to:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) -- Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
1-800-669-9777
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp
Texas Workforce Commission – Civil Rights Division
1-888-452-4778
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/civil-rights-discrimination
Join the Effort
Spread the message encouraging people to talk about Fair Housing by sharing these materials on your social media platforms!
I am Protected Campaign
The ‘I Am Protected’ (2019) campaign informs individuals about their rights and protections under the federal Fair Housing Act.
| Preview | Description | Campaign | Available Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
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Race | I am Protected | English Español Tiếng Việt العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
|
Color | I am Protected | English Español Tiếng Việt العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
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Religion | I am Protected | English Español Tiếng Việt العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
|
Family | I am Protected | English Español Tiếng Việt العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
|
National Origin | I am Protected | English Español Tiếng Việt العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
|
Sex | I am Protected | English Español Tiếng Việt العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
|
Disability | I am Protected | English Español Tiếng Việt العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
Can I Be Your Neighbor
The ‘Can I Be Your Neighbor’ (2018) campaign puts a face to the issue of affordable homes in Houston. It is intended to decrease misconceptions about affordable home development and promote quality homes for all incomes across Houston.
This project was recognized as a finalist for the 2018 Adobe Government Creativity Awards.
| Preview | Description | Campaign | Available Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Campaign Overview Flyer | Say Yes | English Español |
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"I Protect Your Home" | Say Yes | English Español Tiếng Việt 中文 العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
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"I Want a Better Education" | Say Yes | English Español Tiếng Việt 中文 العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
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"I Save Lives" | Say Yes | English Español Tiếng Việt 中文 العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
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"I Make Your Life Sweeter" | Say Yes | English Español Tiếng Việt 中文 العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
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"I Send Help To You" | Say Yes | English Español Tiếng Việt 中文 العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
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"I Served Our Country" | Say Yes | English Español Tiếng Việt 中文 العَرَبِيَّة اُردُو |
Houston Be Fair Campaign
The ‘Houston Be Fair’ (2014) campaign and shows basic information about the importance of fair housing and provides information on how to fill discrimination inquiries and/or complaints.
| Preview | Description | Campaign | Available Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
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Be Fair | Be Fair | English |
Fair Housing Resources
| Preview | Description | Available Languages |
|---|---|---|
|
Ambassador Resource Guide | English |
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Who Pays for Reasonable Modifications Flow Chart | English Español |
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Basics of Fair Housing | English |
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Hotline for Renters | English |
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Hotline for Landlords and Property Managers | English |
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Fair Housing Complaints | English |
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Fair Housing for the Community | English |
Become a Fair Housing Ambassador
The City of Houston’s Fair Housing Ambassador Program is an ongoing series supporting local organizations and individuals who are working to decrease housing discrimination and increase fair housing knowledge in their communities.
Need more assistance?
- To report housing discrimination, use the Fair Housing Hotline: 832-394-6200, extension 1
- For any other questions or feedback about fair housing in Houston, email fairhousing@houstontx.gov
- See also: Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
