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1. What is fair housing?

Fair Housing means you may freely choose a place to live without regard to race, sex, religion, handicap, familial status (having one or more children), age, or national origin. Fair Housing is a right protected by federal, state and local laws. Housing discrimination is against the law.

2. What practices are protected under the law?

Refusal to sell, rent or lease because of race, sex, religion, handicap, familial status, age, or national origin. Discriminatory advertising, terms or conditions in providing services in connection with the sale or rental of housing. Blockbusting or frightening people into moving out of a neighborhood, is also illegal.

3. What does housing discrimination look like?

You are being discriminated against if you experience any of the following based upon your race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, handicap or family size:

• No one can refuse to rent, sell or negotiate housing with you
• No one can set different terms or conditions for the sale or rental of a dwelling
• No one can refuse to make a mortgage loan
• No one can refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to a dwelling to accommodate your handicap
• No one can threaten or intimidate you for exercising your right to fair housing, or assisting others to exercise their right

4. What can housing discrimination feel like?

There are many possible scenarios. For example, you look for housing in a particular neighborhood. You are discouraged, and directed to another part of town. You may be told that you are too late, too soon, too old, or have too many children. You may hear all kinds of reasons.

You may even believe what you hear. But, inside, you know something does not feel right. You begin to feel like you are rejected because or your age, ethnicity, physical disability, or marital status. If this is the situation, you know what it feels like to be denied housing. What you may not know is that in the United States housing discrimination is against the law.

5. What can you do about housing discrimination?

First, report it. By remaining silent, you lose and the lawbreakers win. By accepting their discrimination, they continue to discriminate against others. The City of Garland has trained staff to help you when you have experienced unfair treatment while trying to rent or buy housing.

If you or those you care about have been discriminated against by unfair housing practices, the law-breakers can be stopped. Bilingual services are available in Spanish and English. Vietnamese bilingual services are by appointment only. For more information, please call us at 972-205-3300 or visit our office at:
Fair Housing Services
210 Carver St.
Suite 102
Garland, TX 75040

6. Where can I find more basic facts about the Fair Housing Ordinance?

View more information about the Fair Housing Ordinance.