Fair Housing

Everyone has the right to choose where they want to live, free from discrimination.
 

Affirmatively furthering fair housing makes a difference in people's lives by expanding choices in welcoming communities and building intergenerational wealth. CHAPA believes this intentional work is essential to achieve our collective mission and redress housing discrimination impacts.

We work with other agencies in the field to pass fair housing legislation and, through our Fair Housing Committee, collaboratively identify best practices that promote equal and fair access to housing opportunities on the federal, state, and local levels.

For more information, please reach out to CHAPA's Director of Fair Housing Engagement, Whitney Demetrius.
 

Join the Committee

 

Fair Housing Protections

Fair housing laws protect all individuals in any housing-related transaction, including but not limited to renters, homebuyers, and persons obtaining a lease or mortgage, homeowners insurance, or home appraisals.

In Massachusetts, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of any of the following protected classes:

  • Race
  • Color
  • National Origin
  • Sex
  • Disability/Handicap
  • Religion
  • Familial Status (including presence of children)
  • Ancestry
  • Military Status
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Age (over 40)
  • Marital Status
  • Gender Identity
  • Source of Income (Public Assistance, including Section 8)
  • Genetic Information

To learn more about fair housing and your rights, check out the Housing Toolbox.

 

Reporting Discrimination