Neighborhood & Housing Services Department

Fair Housing Program

Fair Housing / Housing Counseling Program for Renters, Homeowners and Landlords

The goal of the Fair Housing/ Housing Counseling Program is to help residents maintain housing stability, which is key to family well-being. The program is a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing counseling agency. The Fair Housing Program provides the following services to rental tenants, homeowners and landlords:

  • Tenant and landlord mediation
  • Default counseling to homeowners
  • Investigation of discrimination complaints
  • Home Equity Conversion
  • Real estate advertisement monitoring
  • Plan reviews for accessibility requirements
  • Referrals and community outreach

Fair Housing discrimination investigations

Collapse All Expand All
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is Discrimination in Housing?

Under Federal law, discrimination occurs when an individual is provided different or unequal treatment in housing situations because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status or disability. The City of San Antonio also prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s veterans status, sexual orientation or how the individual’s gender identity.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What actions are illegal?

It is unlawful for any person, including, but not limited to, owners, landlords, agents, real estate brokers, real estate salespersons, trustees, mortgagors, financial institution, title companies and/or insurance companies to: 

  • Discriminate against any person in the sale, lease, rental or any other condition involving housing. Also, to discriminate in the extension of mortgage loans, insurance or any other services related to the financing and/or transfer of interest in any dwelling. 
  • Discriminate in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling. Print, publish or advertise sale or rental of a dwelling which indicates preference, limitations or discrimination. 
  • Represent to any person that a house is not available for inspection, sale or rental, when such a house is, in fact available. Induce, or attempt to induce, for profit, any person to sell or rent a house by representation regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the warning signs?
  • An apartment manager takes your lease application and you are never contacted.
  • You are told that only married couples can purchase the unit.
  • A vacancy sign appears in the window, you and your child go into the office to inquire, but the manager tells you there are no longer any units available.
  • Even though there are multiple vacancies at a complex, management tells you that you cannot move in right away and are placed on a waiting list, but your friend is told they can move in right away.
  • Your rental deposit and/or monthly rent are a higher amount than that of other tenants.
  • You are directed away from a neighborhood because “the neighbors might not be friendly” .
  • An Ad in the paper continues to appear after you were told that it was rented.
  • You are told a higher selling price for a home than what was advertised, or what you hear others being told.
  • Your real estate agent only shows you homes on certain parts of towns.
  • A Mortgage Company or bank of your choice refuses to approve a loan even though you qualify.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How to file a Fair Housing Complaint?

The City of San Antonio Fair Housing/Housing Counseling Program is responsible for investigating violations of city and federal fair housing laws. The program assists area residents in need of information regarding their housing rights and in the resolution of housing related discrimination complaints. 

An initial informal method of resolving a housing discrimination complaint is used to attempt to reach a solution and resolve the disagreement as quickly and as fairly as possible. For any case where informal resolution is not possible, the City of San Antonio will refer the complaint directly to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for further investigative action.File a discrimination complaint

To file a claim, call or visit the city of San Antonio’s Fair Housing Program office or use the online Housing Discrimination form. Please contact us at 210.207.5910 for more information.

Mediation, Counseling & Outreach

Tenant/Landlord Mediation

HUD Certified housing counselors are trained to resolve disputes between residential tenants and landlords. Counselors are available to provide clarification regarding the legal rights and obligations of tenants and landlords as governed by chapters 91, 92 and 94 of the Texas Property Code. 

Counselors can discuss concerns involving evictions, repairs, security deposits, utilities billing and termination, code violations, lease disputes, occupancy standards and other related issues. Counselors are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. 

Telephone counseling is available free of charge. 

Related Links

Please contact us at 210.207.5910 for more information.

Default Mortgage Counseling

The Fair Housing Program provides counseling to homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgage payments. Counselors interview clients to determine the causes of the default and to review clients’ budgets. Counselors suggest various options available to the homeowner. HUD Certified counselors are available to assist delinquent clients in submitting workout applications to their lenders.

Related Links

Please contact us at 210.207.5910 or for more information.

Community Outreach

The Fair Housing Program is involved in community fairs and provides educational presentations on many topics, including the following: 

  • Fair Housing laws
  • tenant/landlord rights
  • predatory lending
  • financial literacy and 
  • scam activities

Please call to schedule an appointment.


Hours of Operation & Contact Information

Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 210.207.5910 • Fax: 210.207.5914