Fair Housing

Everyone has the right to seek housing free from discrimination. Fair housing laws protect individuals and families from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Understanding your rights is an important part of the housing process.

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-against-discrimination) is the state's chief civil rights agency. The Commission works to eliminate discrimination in housing, lending, public accommodation, as well as employment and education, and strives to advance the civil rights of the people of the Commonwealth through law enforcement, outreach and training.

Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO) (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-the-attorney-general) reviews and responds to civil rights complaints alleging deprivations of, or interference with, civil rights and civil liberties. The AGO may bring enforcement action, where appropriate, mediate disputes, or refer complainants to other resources.

Massachusett Fair Housing Center (https://massfairhousing.org/) works to eliminate illegal housing discrimination, conducts advocacy and outreach, and serves tenants, landlords, policymakers, law enforcers, faculty and students.

Disability Law Center of Massachusetts (https://www.dlc-ma.org/) provides information, referral, technical assistance and representation regarding legal rights and services for people with disabilities, including access to community services, special education, health care, disability benefits, and rights and conditions in facilities.   

Greater Boston Legal Services (https://www.gbls.org/) provides critical legal assistance to low-income people in the greater Boston area, including assistance with housing, employment, welfare, immigration, health and disability. 

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (https://mlri.org/advocacy-issues/housing/) provides legal resources, guides and advocacy materials to help low-income tenants understand their housing rights. 

Mass Legal Help (https://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing-apartments-shelter/public-subsidized-housing/reasonable-accommodations-and-housing) provides assistance to tenants requiring reasonable accommodation in public and subsidized housing.