Fair Housing and Equity
We work to prevent discrimination and ensure fair and equitable access to housing for all people of Boston.
Our mission is to ensure fair and equitable access to housing opportunities. We strive to increase equity and reduce barriers to opportunity for persons living and working in the City of Boston.
You can learn more about the Boston Fair Housing Commission regulations. If you feel you've experienced housing discrimination in Boston, you can file a complaint with our office.
Contact
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1 City Hall Square
Room 966Boston, MA 02201-2041 -
Office hoursMonday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
How can we help?
How can we help?Have you been evicted or at risk of eviction?
The Office of Housing Stability offers programs such as rental assistance programs and other helpful resources.
If you believe you’ve suffered a discriminatory eviction, please file an intake with our Fair Housing and Equity team. Someone will reach out to you shortly.
Do you need legal assistance?
Contact these resources for help:
- Boston Bar Lawyer Referral
- Disability Law Center
- Greater Boston Legal Services
- Harvard Legal Aid Bureau
Do you need assistance finding housing?
Please go to Metrolist to review the city’s affordable housing listings.
Do you need to apply for Rental Assistance?
Please contact the Office of Housing Stability, where you can get connected with rental assistance programs and other helpful resources.
Please go to Metrolist to review the city’s affordable housing listings:
Please contact the Office of Housing Stability, where you can get connected with rental assistance programs and other helpful resources.
Do you have a child aged 6 years or younger?
Please file an intake with our Fair Housing and Equity team and someone will reach out to you shortly.
Looking for help with lead poisoning, lead pipes, lead levels, lead paint, lead tests, lead testing, abatements, or lead removal?
Please contact the Boston Public Health Commission for more information about lead poisoning and lead in homes.
Need general support?
Please contact the Inspectional Services Department, where you can request a home inspection and get connected with other helpful resources.
Are the maintenance issues negatively affecting your disability or are they otherwise discriminatory?
Please file an intake with our Fair Housing and Equity team and someone will reach out to you shortly.
Please contact the Inspectional Services Department, where you can request a home inspection and get connected with other helpful resources.
For help with deposits, lease violations, noise and excessive Noise, and more, contact the Office of Housing Stability:
Contact these resources for help:
- Visit the Affirmative Marketing website
Have you been discriminated against? Have you faced racism, homophobia, slurs, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation?
If the this issue happened outside the City of Boston, please bring your case to the Massachusetts Commission of Discrimination.
If you live in the City of Boston and the discrimination took place related to housing, please fill out an intake form.
Submit an intake online
If you feel you've experienced housing discrimination in Boston, you can file a complaint with our office. To start the process, please call us at 617-635-2500, or complete our online intake form below.
Commission information
We have info about the Fair Housing Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and the ordinances we enforce.
Learn more about the commissioners and their work.
Learn more about the Boston Fair Housing Commission Ordinance.
Learn how the commission enforces Fair Housing laws and regulations.
Companies working with the City must meet certain standards.
Upcoming events
EventsFair Housing Resources
ResourcesIt is illegal for housing providers to discriminate against families with children under six even if the unit is known to have lead paint. The Massachusetts lead law requires that any place built prior to 1978 where a child under six years old lives must be made lead safe.
Helps residents find and maintain stable, safe and affordable housing.
RentSmart BostonGet data compiled from BOS: 311 and Inspectional Services about Boston’s properties.
The center helps Boston residents purchase, improve, and keep their homes.
METROLISTProvides all residents with equal access to housing opportunities. This includes income-restricted rental properties and affordable housing lotteries and resales.
Affirmative Marketing
Affirmative Marketing has been moved to Mayor's Office of Housing. While we still provide oversight, they cannot be reached in our office. To contact Affirmative Marketing, email them at affirmativemarketing@boston.gov. You can learn more about about Affirmative Marketing.
Meet our team
Meet our team
Outside of Boston?
Have you experienced housing discrimination outside of Boston, or any other non-housing discrimination?
Contact the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination:
