Race and National Origin

It is always illegal for a landlord, agent, home seller, or realtor to discriminate based on race, color and/or national origin (ancestry).  There is no exemption for owner-occupied duplexes.  In addition to the Federal Fair Housing Act, there are independent federal and state laws that prohibit housing discrimination based on  race, color and/or national origin in all types of public and private housing.  

Approximately 10% of the housing discrimination complaints received by the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center are based on race and/or national origin.  Our service area, which includes five counties and the cities of Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts, is highly segregated.[1]  A 2010 study revealed that the schools in the Greater Springfield area are among the most segregated in the country for Latino and Black students.[2]  This entrenched residential segregation indicates that housing discrimination plays a major role in restricting housing opportunities based on race and national origin. 

If you believe you were discriminated against because of your race, color, and/or national origin you can fill out an intake form online or contact our office.