Both the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Texas Fair Housing Act make it illegal to deny someone housing solely because of color, race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or your familial status (children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18).
Below is basic information about fair housing requirements. Please reference the useful resources links to the right for further information.
The Fair Housing Act applies to all housing, in both public and private communities. The Act makes exceptions for the following:
The following unfair or illegal housing practices are prohibited:
The following home buying process practices are unfair or illegal under the Fair Housing Act:
The 1998 Federal Fair Housing Act amendment added the following accessibility requirements for construction of all multifamily housing of four or more units first occupied after March 13, 1991. These requirements only apply to ground floor units if the building does not have an elevator.
Reasonable Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
A housing provider may not refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services if it may be necessary for a client to use the housing on an equal basis with nondisabled persons.
Reasonable Modifications for Persons with Disabilities
Housing providers may not refuse to let persons with disabilities make reasonable modifications to dwellings or common areas at their own expense in order for them to fully use the housing. Where it is reasonable, a landlord may permit changes only if the occupant restores the property to its original condition she or he moves, except for common areas.
The Fair Housing Act specifically exempts some senior housing facilities and communities from familial status discrimination. Exempt senior housing facilities or communities can lawfully refuse to sell or rent dwellings to families with minor children.
A facility or community must prove the following to be exempts from familial status discrimination:
The Civil Rights Division of the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division (TWCCRD) enforces the Texas Fair Housing Act. Complaints are investigated by TWCCRD and coordinated with The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The TWCCRD will help you with any problem of housing discrimination. You have one year after an alleged violation to file a complaint, but you should file it as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide the following information:
To file a complaint, you may call the office directly at (888) 452-4778 or (512) 463-2642, or write to:
Texas Workforce Commission
Civil Rights Division
1117 Trinity Street, Room 144-T
Austin, Texas 78701
TWCCRD also provides a TTY phone for the deaf/hearing impaired users at (512)371-7473 and assistance in reading and completing forms.