Beyond Bending Tell You How
When it comes to finding a place to call home, everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. This is where the concept of equal housing opportunity comes in. In Texas, the state has laws in place to protect individuals from housing discrimination, and it’s important to understand what these laws entail and how they can protect you.
In this article, we’ll dive into the details of equal housing opportunity in Texas, including what it means, how it works, and what resources are available to you if you believe you’ve been discriminated against. Whether you’re a renter, a homeowner, or simply looking for a place to live, this information is essential to understanding your rights and ensuring that you’re treated fairly.
What is Equal Housing Opportunity?
Equal housing opportunity, or EHO, is a concept that refers to the right of all individuals to have equal access to housing. This means that landlords, property managers, and housing providers cannot discriminate against someone based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
The concept of EHO is enforced by the Fair Housing Act, which is a federal law that was passed in 1968. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. In addition to the Fair Housing Act, Texas has its own state laws that protect individuals from housing discrimination.
What Are the Protected Classes in Texas?
In Texas, the Fair Housing Act protects individuals from discrimination based on the following seven protected classes:
| Protected Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Race | Includes all races and ethnicities |
| Color | Refers to the color of a person’s skin |
| Religion | Includes all religions and religious practices |
| Sex | Refers to a person’s gender |
| National Origin | Refers to a person’s country of origin or ancestry |
| Disability | Includes physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities |
| Familial Status | Refers to families with children under the age of 18 |
It’s important to note that discrimination based on any of these protected classes is illegal in Texas. Landlords, property managers, and housing providers cannot refuse to rent to someone, charge them more rent, or treat them differently based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
What Does Housing Discrimination Look Like?
Housing discrimination can take many forms, and it’s not always obvious. Some examples of housing discrimination include:
- Refusing to rent to someone based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status
- Charging someone higher rent or a higher security deposit based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status
- Treating someone differently based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status
- Refusing to make reasonable accommodations for someone with a disability
- Refusing to allow a service animal for someone with a disability
If you believe that you’ve experienced housing discrimination, it’s important to report it. We’ll go over the steps for reporting discrimination later in this article.
What Are Your Rights Under the Fair Housing Act?
Under the Fair Housing Act, you have the right to:
- Choose where you want to live
- Receive equal treatment when applying for housing
- Be informed about available housing
- Be shown available housing
- Have equal access to housing-related services
- Be free from harassment or intimidation from landlords or property managers
- Be free from retaliation for asserting your fair housing rights
It’s important to note that these rights apply to everyone, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with the appropriate agency.
What Resources Are Available in Texas?
If you believe that you’ve experienced housing discrimination in Texas, there are several resources available to you. The following organizations can provide information, assistance, and support:
- Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division: The TWC Civil Rights Division is responsible for enforcing the Fair Housing Act in Texas. They investigate complaints of housing discrimination and work to ensure that individuals are treated fairly. You can file a complaint with the TWC online, by mail, or by phone.
- City of Austin Fair Housing Office: The City of Austin Fair Housing Office provides education, outreach, and enforcement of fair housing laws in the Austin area. They investigate complaints of housing discrimination and work to ensure that everyone has equal access to housing. You can file a complaint with the City of Austin Fair Housing Office online, by mail, or by phone.
- Housing Discrimination Complaint Hotline: If you’re not sure where to turn, you can call the Housing Discrimination Complaint Hotline at 1-800-669-9777. This hotline is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and can connect you with the appropriate agency to file a complaint.
How to Report Housing Discrimination in Texas
If you believe that you’ve experienced housing discrimination in Texas, it’s important to report it. Here are the steps you can take:
- Document the Discrimination: If possible, document the discrimination by writing down what happened, when it happened, and who was involved. If there were any witnesses, try to get their contact information.
- File a Complaint: You can file a complaint with the TWC Civil Rights Division, the City of Austin Fair Housing Office, or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. You can file a complaint online, by mail, or by phone.
- Cooperate with the Investigation: If your complaint is investigated, be sure to cooperate fully. Provide any evidence or information that you have and be available to answer any questions.
- Consider Legal Action: If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may want to consider legal action. You can contact a fair housing attorney to discuss your options.
Conclusion
Equal housing opportunity is a fundamental right that everyone should have access to. In Texas, the state has laws in place to protect individuals from housing discrimination, and it’s important to understand what these laws entail and how they can protect you. If you believe that you’ve experienced housing discrimination, it’s important to report it and take action. By understanding your rights and the resources available to you, you can ensure that you’re treated fairly and have equal access to housing.
People Also Ask:
What is the Fair Housing Act?
The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that was passed in 1968. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
What are the protected classes in Texas?
The Fair Housing Act protects individuals from discrimination based on the following seven protected classes in Texas: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
What does housing discrimination look like?
Housing discrimination can take many forms, including refusing to rent to someone based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status, charging someone higher rent or a higher security deposit based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status, and treating someone differently based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
