Health and Human Services
& Veterans Services

Community Development Block Grant

Fair Housing

What is Fair Housing?

Fundamentally, fair housing means that every person can live free. This means that our communities are open and welcoming, free from housing discrimination and hostility. But this also means that each one of us, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability, has access to neighborhoods of opportunity, where our children can attend quality schools, our environment allows us to be healthy, and economic opportunities and self-sufficiency can grow. (HUD.gov)

To learn more about fair housing or find out how to promote fair housing in your community, visit 10 Things You Can Do to Promote Fair Housing.

What are Impediments to Fair Housing Choice?

HUD specifically defines impediments to fair housing choice as:

1. Any actions, omissions, or decisions taken because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin which restrict housing choices or the availability of housing choices
2. Any actions, omissions, or decisions that have the effect of restricting housing choices or the availability of housing choices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.

Fair Housing and Travis County

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a commitment to eliminate racial and ethnic segregation, physical and other barriers to persons with disabilities, and other discriminatory practices in the provision of housing.

HUD extends the responsibility of affirmatively furthering fair housing to local jurisdictions through a variety of regulations and program requirements.

Travis County has included the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice as one of the activities that will be funded during its program year 2008. The Analysis of Impediments will identify impediments to fair housing in the county as a whole and will determine a course of action to address those impediments.

Referral List

To find out more information about fair housing or report discriminating housing practices contact:

Local Organizations:

• Austin Tenant’s Council – Phone: 512-474-1961
• City of Austin - Equal Employment/Fair Housing Office - Phone: 512-974-3251
• Austin Human Rights Commission
• City of Austin – ADA Office – Phone: 512-974-3256
• Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid -   Phone: 800-369-9270

State Agencies:

• Texas Workforce Commission - Civil Rights Division - Employment and Housing Discrimination –  Phone: 888-452-4778

Federal Agencies:

• US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) – Phone: 800-669-9777
  
• HUD – Fair Housing Regional Office - Fort Worth – Phone: 817-978-5965
  

Last Modified: Friday, April 20, 2012 8:41 AM