FAIR HOUSING ACT RESOURCE

In Massachusetts, All Are Welcome.

Leading the Fight for Fair Housing in the Commonwealth.

Securing housing when you need a voucher can be tough – and it can be even harder if you’re BIPOC, a family or have a disability. Luckily, the law and The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® are on your side. In Massachusetts, everyone is protected by Fair Housing laws, and state and federal regulations prohibit denying someone housing because of:

  • 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)
  • source of income (i.e., Section 8 voucher)

A recent study in Greater Boston found that 86% of people using a voucher faced discrimination from rental agents. Black testers faced discrimination 71% of the time.1

As the data shows, discrimination still takes place at high levels – from refusing to give you a tour, to refusing to rent to you, to charging you more because of your protected class status. That’s why MAR is proud to partner with Suffolk Law School2 and to combat this injustice by providing our members, customers, and partners with the information and support they need.

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® is the state’s leading proponent of private property rights and real estate advocacy. And we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Are you a REALTOR® looking for more information? Head to our site.

1 Housing Discrimination Testing Program (HDTP) at Suffolk University Law School, Analysis Group and the Boston Foundation. Link to study.
2 Suffolk University Law School is a Department of Housing and Urban Development grantee and any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of HUD.

  • 86%

    OF PEOPLE USING A VOUCHER FACE DISCRIMINATION FROM RENTAL AGENTS

  • 71%

    OF BLACK RESIDENTS FACE DISCRIMINATION

About the Fair Housing Initiative

Housing discrimination in Massachusetts is a serious matter. And to tackle it, MAR needed a knowledgeable, reputable, resourceful partner to join us. By teaming up with Suffolk Law School, we’re delivering the resources, support and educational materials renters and landlords need to ensure everyone has access to the housing they need. Because to us, it’s about more than putting roofs over people’s heads — it’s about helping people find their homes.

About the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® advocates for equal opportunity and housing for all persons. MAR actively champions for the right to own, use and transfer private property and is committed to educating REALTORS® and brokers on fair housing, as well as offering equal professional service to all in their search for property.

MAR regularly holds training sessions and professional standards services to ensure its members fully understand property owners’ rights and obligations. Additionally, REALTOR® members must complete ethics training every two years and must adhere to our Code of Ethics.

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