Housing

Disability Rights Texas helps ensure people with disabilities have access to and opportunities to rent or own homes and apartments in their communities. This work includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Ensuring that landlords and property owners do not discriminate against persons with disabilities in renting or selling property
Making sure that housing is accessible to people with disabilities to the extent required by law
Advocating to increase the amount of accessible, affordable and integrated housing for individuals with physical and mental disabilities

These resources are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

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Featured Resources

CDC Declaration Letter Form

The CDC issued an order that would temporarily halt residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. If you are facing an eviction or your landlord has already filed an eviction notice, you can inform your landlord and others about the CDC order. Continue reading CDC Declaration Letter Form

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

Ending Discrimination in Housing: Fair Housing Laws

The facts about fair housing and how to file a complaint Continue reading Ending Discrimination in Housing: Fair Housing Laws

Handouts

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

Deadlines and Procedures to File an Administrative Complaint

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 Deadlines and Procedures to File an Administrative Complaint

Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency

If you are having problems such as inaccessible communications, 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

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

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

Housing Rights as Texas Returns to School

In Texas, some students and school staff are returning to school. This handout has information about what you can do if your landlord, neighbors, or HOA have treated you differently because you work in a school or have kids that attend school. Continue reading Housing Rights as Texas Returns to School

Medical Professional’s Guide to Housing Issues During COVID-19 Pandemic

We have seen instances of medical professionals discriminated against because of what they do and where they work. The discrimination stems from being associated with people with disabilities, being thought to have a disability, or having a disability. In this handout, we address several scenarios we know are playing out or that we anticipate could occur. Continue reading Medical Professional’s Guide to Housing Issues During COVID-19 Pandemic

Evictions in Texas During COVID-19 Pandemic

This handout covers how to qualify for protections under a new CDC order that pauses some evictions for non-payment of rent until December 31, 2020. Continue reading Evictions in Texas During 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

Publications

Texas Medicaid Waiver Comparison Chart

Understand the different Medicaid Waiver Programs and what each offers…. Continue reading Texas Medicaid Waiver Comparison Chart

Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

This handout contains the following information: 1) Your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when staying at a hotel or shelter; 2) Your rights under the Federal Fair Housing Act and how it impacts where you live; and 3) A sample letter asking for a reasonable accommodation under federal and state law for early termination of your lease Continue reading Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

Videos

Know Your Housing Rights During COVID-19

Know your housing rights during the Coronavirus pandemic! Whether you’re a renter or homeowner, you have rights and options that offer additional support. Check out this informative message from Rachel Cohen-Miller, Supervising Attorney of the Housing, Transportation & Disaster Team at Disability Rights Texas. Also refer to our handouts on your housing rights and other… Continue reading Know Your Housing Rights During COVID-19

Watch Know Your Housing Rights During COVID-19.

DRTx Legal Tips: Housing Rights

… Continue reading DRTx Legal Tips: Housing Rights

Watch 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.
CDC Says Landlords Can't Evict Yet - Declaration Letter Templates from Lone Star Legal Aid
Disability Rights in Housing
Section 504 People with Disabilities FAQ Sheet for Fair Housing
The Rights of People with HIV/AIDS