The Committee's mission is to promote and support the City of Newton's efforts to be a diverse and welcoming community with housing choices and opportunities free from housing discrimination. Acting in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, and all applicable City departments, boards, and committees, the Committee aims to assure that policies and practices relating to fair housing are interwoven into the operations and activities of the City as well as the fabric of the community. As part of its mission, the Committee assists the City in meeting its duties to affirmatively further fair housing within Newton.
For More information on fair housing, visit the City of Newton's Fair Housing Website.
The Committee shall consist of eleven (11) members appointed by the Mayor, who shall serve for renewable terms of three (3) years each or until their successors shall take office. The initial appointments shall be for staggered terms as follows: three appointees shall serve for a one year term; four appointees shall serve for a two year term; and four appointees shall serve for a three year term.
Members shall be residents of the city or representatives of City based institutions, organizations, and businesses that serve the housing needs of Newton residents, and shall be persons interested in promoting the Committee's mission. The membership shall reflect the diversity of persons who are protected by civil rights laws, and shall include one or more persons with expertise in fair housing and civil rights laws. At least three (3) of the members shall be drawn from the Newton Housing Partnership, Newton Human Rights Commission, and Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities. The balance of the membership shall be drawn from the Newton Housing Authority, Community Preservation Committee, realtors, lenders, housing providers or landlords, housing developers, and social service providers or citizen advocates.
In carrying out its purpose and mission, the Committee shall perform the following activities:
The Fair Housing Committee meets the first Wednesday of every month at 8:00 a.m. in the Planning and Development Department conference room in City Hall. To confirm a meeting date, please contact Malcolm Lucas, Housing Planner, at (617) 796-1149 or mlucas@newtonma.gov.
The location of this meeting is handicap accessible and reasonable accommodations will be provided to persons requiring assistance. If you need a special accommodation, please contact Jini Fairley at 617-796-1253 at least two days before the meeting. For Telecommunications Relay Service dial 711.
Upcoming agenda for April 4, 2018 meeting
If you would like more information, please contact Malcolm Lucas, Housing Planner, at (617) 796-1149 or mlucas@newtonma.gov.
If you think you have been discriminated against, contact the Newton Human Rights Commission and File a Complaint. Your claim will be reviewed and investigated, and if appropriate, the Commission will try to resolve it by working directly with both sides.
NOTE: complaints of housing discrimination must be filed with the Newton Human Rights Commission within 300 days of the most recent violation, which is the same time limit under Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Housing Discrimination Number: 617-796-1120 TDD/TTY 617-796-1089 ADA voicemail 617-796-1281
For more resources on affordable for-sale and rental housing, please visit Affordable Housing Resources and Affordable Housing Opportunities