Fair Housing Law

Discrimination in housing is against the law. Learn more about housing rights and responsibilities.

State and federal law prohibit discrimination in the sale and rental of housing by property owners, landlords, property managers, mortgage lenders, and real estate agents. These fair housing laws make it unlawful to discriminate based on: race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, veteran or active military status, age, familial status (i.e., children), and source of income (i.e., Section 8 voucher).

What you need to know

Greater Boston Legal Services 617-371-1234 

Community Legal Aid 855-252-5342 

De Novo Center for Justice and Healing 617-661-1010

MetroWest Legal Services 508-620-1830

Northeast Legal Aid 978-458-1465

South Coastal Counties Legal Services 800-244-9023

Fair Housing Alliance of Massachusetts 508-444-9332

Massachusetts Fair Housing Center 413-539-9796

Suffolk University Law School Housing Discrimination Testing Program 617-884-7568 

SouthCoast Fair Housing 774-473-9994 

Other Resources

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)

Overview of Housing Discrimination in Massachusetts  

File a Complaint Online

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act

File a Complaint Online

Boston Fair Housing Commission

Boston Fair Housing Regulations

File a Complaint Online

Cambridge Human Rights Commission

General Information about Housing Discrimination

File a Complaint Online

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