File a Fair Housing Complaint

How do you recognize housing discrimination?

If you are a member of a protected class, it is illegal as a general rule for someone to:

• Refuse to rent to you or sell you housing
• Tell you housing is unavailable when in fact it is available
• Show you apartments or homes only in certain neighborhoods
• Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
• Advertise housing to preferred groups of people only
• Refuse to provide you with information regarding mortgage loans, deny you a mortgage loan, or impose different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan
• Deny you property insurance
• Conduct property appraisals in a discriminatory manner
• Refuse to make reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability if the accommodation may be necessary to afford such a person a reasonable and equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling
• Harass, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising or assisting someone else with his/her fair housing rights

Examples of behavior that MAY be housing discrimination include:

• You call and get an appointment to look at a house, but when you get there, you are told that the house was just sold.
• You are told that the apartment has been rented, but it is listed in the paper again.
• You are told a higher selling price than what was advertised, or than what you heard others being told.
• You are told that they cannot rent to families with children because the house has lead paint.
• You are given terms of rental or sale which are different than those given to other persons.
• You are directed to or away from certain neighborhoods based on race, national origin, religion, or disability.

If you challenge discriminatory housing practices and your claim is informally settled, or you receive a favorable decision by a court or administrative enforcement agency, you could receive: 

What are the benefits of filing a housing discrimination complaint?

• the housing you wanted
• compensation for costs such as temporary housing or moving expenses
• compensation for any emotional damages suffered as a result of the discrimination
• an order prohibiting future discrimination or requiring the owner/agent to rent to other  qualified homeseekers who are members of a protected class
• your lawyer’s fees paid (some attorneys will take cases with the understanding that they will only be paid if you win the case)
• the satisfaction of knowing that you challenged discrimination and that other people may not go through the pain and frustration you experienced.

Do you believe you were a victim of housing discrimination?

If you believe your rights were violated, be sure to write down the details (example: include the who, what, when, where, why and how) and then take action. Obtain and fill out a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form and then file your complaint with the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston by completing the Housing Discrimination Intake Form and emailing it to dflanagan@city.waltham.ma.us or mailing it to:

Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston
59 Temple Place #1105
Boston, MA 02111

Or you may also call City of Waltham Housing Division at 781-314-3383. Be sure to leave your name and a number where you can be reached during business hours.

There is NO CHARGE for filing a complaint, and it is not necessary to hire an attorney. However, it is your right to have an attorney represent you at your own expense.  Income eligible complainants may be able to access representation at area legal aid clinics.

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
MCAD handles all discrimination complaints that fall under state law as well as violations of the federal Fair Housing Act. Complaints of housing discrimination must be filed with MCAD within 300 days of the most recent violation.  For more information contact:

MCAD
One Ashburton Place
Sixth Floor, Room 601
Boston, MA 02108 
Phone: 617-994-6000 
TTY: 617-994-6196
Website:  www.mass.gov/mcad/

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD is the federal agency, which receives and investigates housing discrimination complaints that violate federal law. Complaints must be filed with HUD within one year of the most recent violation.  For more information contact:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building
10 Causeway Street, Room 321
Boston, MA 02222-1092
Tel: 617-565-5308 or 800-827-5005
Fax 617-565-7313
TTY 617-565-5453
Email: Complaints_office_01@hud.gov 
Website: www.hud.gov

What is the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston?

The Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston is a private advocacy organization for victims of housing discrimination.  It can assist you with filing a complaint in court or with MCAD or HUD, and may act as an advocate on your behalf. The address and contact information for the Fair Housing Center is:

Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston
59 Temple Place #1105
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-399-0491
TTY users, please call the MA Relay Service at 1-800-439-2370
http://www.bostonfairhousing.org