Fair Housing - Rio Grande Council of Governments

What is Fair Housing?

Fair Housing refers to the Federal Fair Housing Act. This act and the Texas Fair Housing Act, protects people from discrimination when they are renting, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. Protections from discrimination are based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. These protections are extended to recipients of HUD financial assistance.

In addition to the Federal Fair Housing Act and Texas Fair Housing Act, counties, cities, and other municipalities may have housing discrimination laws to protect additional groups. For more information about additional laws in your city or county, find and contact your legal aid office using TXLawHelp.org.

How do I File a Complaint?

For information on identifying what discrimination may look like, please visit the Fair Housing Alliance page. If you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission or the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

To find out more information about how to file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission please visit https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/fair-housing/complaint-how-to.htm.

To find out more information about how to file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) please visit https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint.

What is Public Housing?

Public housing is a rental assistance program that was established to provide decent and safe housing for eligible low income families, the elderly, and individuals with disability. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers federal aid to local housing agencies (HA). These local housing agencies manage the housing of eligible residents at rents they can afford.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. A Housing Agency (HA) or local housing authority determines your eligibility based on:

1) Annual gross income

2) Whether you qualify as elderly person, a person with a disability, or as a family

3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, the HA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. HAs will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project’s environment.

Housing agencies use income limits developed by HUD. HUD sets the lower income limits at 80% and very low income limits at 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one HA but not at another. The HA serving your community can provide you with the income levels for your area and family size, or you can also find the income limits here on the internet.

For more information, please visit https://www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance/phprog.

How do I apply?

If you’re interested in applying for public housing, contact your local housing authority. The contact information of local housing authorities is provided in the last section on this page. If you are having trouble contacting your local housing authority, contact the HUD Fort Worth Regional Office.

Resources with Additional Information

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs provides additional information about the agency’s programs and resources for Texans seeking assistance.
Housing & Urban Development provides additional information about all HUD programs and resources for persons seeking HUD financial assistance.
Vacancy Clearinghouse is an online tool created by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs used to search for vacancies in affordable housing communities.
Go Section 8 is website for tenants searching for affordable rental listings.
HUD’s Low Rent Apartment Search is an online tool created by HUD to search for all types of housing supported by its programs.
HUD’s Renter’s Guide gives tips and information about tenants’ rights that every tenant should know.
HUD Approved Housing Counselors is an online tool created by HUD to locate housing counselors approved by HUD who may provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues.
Project Bravo Housing Program is a program dedicated to informing clients in El Paso County of programs and resources available to them throughout the community.

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Housing Authorities

Local housing authorities provide affordable housing in communities through public housing properties, rental assistance vouchers, and partnerships with nonprofit, for profit, and other governmental agencies. Below is a list of local housing authorities in the seven counties the Rio Grande Council of Governments serves.

El Paso County

Housing Authority of the City of El Paso

5300 E. Paisano Drive, El Paso, TX 79905

(915) 849-3742

El Paso County Housing Authority

650 NE G Ave, Fabens, TX 79838

(915) 764-3559

Anthony Housing Authority

1007 Franklin St, Anthony, TX 79821

(915) 886-4650

Doña Ana County

Mesilla Valley Public Housing Authority