Housing
Update: Eviction Moratoriums
On August 26, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) order to extend the eviction moratorium. The CDC order had extended the eviction moratorium to October 3, 2021, but now the moratorium is considered expired and landlords can move forward with evictions.
If you are a person with a disability who is facing eviction, please contact our Housing Advocacy Team at housing@drtx.org or call 1-800-252-9108.
Featured Resources
How to Stop Your Landlord From Entering Your Home During COVID-19
Learn what you can do to stop your landlord from entering your home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading How to Stop Your Landlord From Entering Your Home During COVID-19
Read more about How to Stop Your Landlord From Entering Your Home During COVID-19.
Can My Landlord Evict Me Due to Damage from the Winter Storm?
If your landlord is evicting you so damage caused by the winter storm can be repaired, learn about your rights and options. Continue reading Can My Landlord Evict Me Due to Damage from the Winter Storm?
Read more about Can My Landlord Evict Me Due to Damage from the Winter Storm?.
Handouts
Stop Debt Collector Harassment with Accommodation Request Letter
Please answer the questions below to generate a letter to your landlord. After you answer the questions and click submit, you will be redirected to a new webpage where you can download the letter. Please download the letter. Then send the letter to your landlord. This accommodation generator will NOT send the request to your… Continue reading Stop Debt Collector Harassment with Accommodation Request Letter
Read more about Stop Debt Collector Harassment with Accommodation Request Letter.
Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Letter
If you have unpaid rent, past due rent, or late rent, you can use our interactive Unpaid Rent Accommodation Request Generator below to ask for more time to pay rent, delay an eviction, or even forgive past rent if you or someone in the house has lost a job because of COVID-19, lost income because of COVID-19 or if losing a job or income is making someone in the household’s mental health worse. This tool lets people use the protections of federal civil rights laws to ask for more time. Continue reading Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Letter
Read more about Avoid Eviction with a Rent Accommodation Letter.
Letter to Landlord to Request Early Lease Termination
Do you need to request a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act to terminate your lease early? Use our form to generate a letter that you can give to your landlord. Continue reading Letter to Landlord to Request Early Lease Termination
Read more about Letter to Landlord to Request Early Lease Termination.
Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language
Neighbors, Homeowners Associations (HOA), Landlords, and Realtors often target people with disabilities for things they ignore when anyone else does them. We consistently see people with disabilities targeted because of their disability and their race, national origin, or the language they speak. Continue reading Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language
Read more about Housing Rights: Disability, Race, National Origin and Language.
Filing a Complaint: Possible Discrimination in Housing
If you want to file a complaint with a government agency about possible discrimination or fair housing violations in Texas, you can contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division (TWC-CRD). Continue reading Filing a Complaint: Possible Discrimination in Housing
Read more about Filing a Complaint: Possible Discrimination in Housing.
Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency
If you are having problems such as inaccessible communications, a shelter that won’t allow your service animal or make other accommodations, or figuring out how to apply for FEMA services, this handout can help you navigate an emergency or disaster in your community. Continue reading Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency
Read more about Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency.
On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19
If you are experiencing any of the issues described in this handout, you can ask your landlord to change their policy to accommodate your needs to allow you out of your lease early without paying penalties, fines, or fees. Continue reading On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19
Read more about On or Off-Campus College Housing and COVID-19.
Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This handout covers many housing-related issues that could arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the issues include ending a lease early, how to deal with people entering your home, what to do if you can’t make rent, and more. Continue reading Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Read more about Housing Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Evictions in Texas During the COVID-19 Pandemic
People with disabilities in Texas may face eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about the options available to help you stay in your home. Continue reading Evictions in Texas During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Read more about Evictions in Texas During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Eviction and Reasonable Accommodations
This handout gives a summary of a tenant’s right to ask for a reasonable accommodation in order to avoid an eviction. It is based on both federal and Texas laws. Continue reading Eviction and Reasonable Accommodations
Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Natural Disasters
This handout contains information about (A) your rights under the ADA when staying at a hotel or shelter, (B) your rights under the Federal Fair Housing Act and how it impacts where you live, and also (C) a sample letter asking for a reasonable accommodation to terminate your lease early. Continue reading Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Natural Disasters
Ending Discrimination in Housing: Fair Housing Laws
Learn about the Fair Housing Act, requirements for new and existing housing, how to file a complaint if you think if you’ve been discriminated against, and more. Continue reading Ending Discrimination in Housing: Fair Housing Laws
Read more about Ending Discrimination in Housing: Fair Housing Laws.
Videos
Disaster Housing Advice
In this video, get advice about how to access housing after a disaster. Learn about the programs available to help you and how to prepare. Continue reading Disaster Housing Advice
Disaster Services Provided by the American Red Cross
Learn about the disaster services provided by the American Red Cross and how their services can help people with disabilities recover from disasters. Continue reading Disaster Services Provided by the American Red Cross
DRTx Legal Tips: Housing Rights
In this video, a Disability Rights Texas attorney explains some of the basic housing rights of veterans and others with disabilities. The video covers what landords can ask tenants, reasonable accommodations, and home modifications. Continue reading DRTx Legal Tips: Housing Rights
External Links
- Stop TX Eviction
Texans facing eviction because they can’t afford rent can use this toolkit to learn about their rights and rental assistance options.
- COVID-19 Eviction and Other Resources from Lone Star Legal Aid
- Disability Rights in Housing
- Section 504 People with Disabilities FAQ Sheet for Fair Housing
- Protecting the Rights of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS
Related Items
- Disability Rights Texas offers tools to those at risk of eviction
- Stop Texas Evictions Toolkit Helps Texans Who Can't Afford Rent
- Disability in the Time of COVID-19: Unheard Voices, Unseen Struggles—and Unknown Rights
- Disability rights group sues Dallas Housing Authority
- Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Filed Against Dallas Housing Authority
- Protecting the Rights of Hurricane Survivors with Disabilities