WestMetro HOME Consortium Fair Housing Testing Program: Findings and Recommendations

Over the last two years, the WestMetro HOME Consortium has worked with Suffolk University Law School to identify instances of discrimination in the affordable housing application process across the thirteen WestMetro HOME Consortium communities: Bedford, Belmont, Brookline, Concord, Framingham, Lexington, Natick, Needham, Newton, Sudbury, Waltham, Watertown, and Wayland. Read more about the Consortium's purpose and structure here. 

The publication of this report marks the culmination of two years of work, and represents the foundation of future efforts to prevent housing discrimination before it happens and to strengthen strategies to address race and income based discrimination in the region. To read the final report, please click here. 

The report authors held two sessions in February 2025, one in-person at the Newton Public Library and one online, to present the report findings and facilitate a discussion about its recommendations. The online session was recorded and available for viewing here. 

What is Fair Housing?

When looking to buy or rent a property it is important to know that you are protected under fair housing laws. Fair housing laws are some of the strongest civil rights statutes on the books. Federal and State laws make it illegal to discriminate against people when renting or purchasing a unit based on any of the following:

The law also covers advertising, including making discriminatory statements. Ads which express a preference for, or exclusion of, a particular group of people are illegal. In addition, there is a duty to provide reasonable accommodations to a person with a disability when it is necessary to ensure an equal housing opportunity.

Examples of behavior that MAY be housing discrimination include:

• You call and get an appointment to look at a house, but when you get there, you are told that the house was just sold.
• You are told that the apartment has been rented, but it is listed in the paper again.
• You are told a higher selling price than what was advertised, or than what you heard others being told.
• You are told that they cannot rent to families with children because the house has lead paint.
• You are given terms of rental or sale which are different than those given to other persons.
• You are directed to or away from certain neighborhoods based on race, national origin, religion, or disability.

File a Complaint

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. Funding for the City of Newton's fair housing website provided by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Fair Housing Initiative Program Grant. Contents of the website developed by the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston and the City of Newton.

If you believe you have been a victim of housing discrimination, learn how to file a complaint here

Pulse aquí para aprender acerca de sus derechos de vivienda justa o si usted cree que ha sido víctima de discriminación por vivienda.

Newton Fair Housing

• HUD DOJ Update Fair Housing Act Guidance about Land Use Laws
• Statement on Fair Housing in Newton
• Fair Housing Policy

Affirmatively Further Fair Housing

As a recipient of federal funds for affordable housing, the City of Newton and the WestMetro HOME Consortium is required to affirmatively further fair housing in its programs and policies and its commitments of resources. 

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) is a comprehensive review and evaluation of municipal housing, economic and transportation conditions, as well as public and private sector policies that affect housing choices and opportunities in Newton and across the 13-community WestMetro HOME Consortium. To learn more about the AI, click here.

Fair Housing Committee

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, City Council, 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.

Please visit the Fair Housing Committee webpage for more information.

Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership ("Partnership")

The Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership's ("Partnership") mission is to foster, support, and advocate for the preservation and creation of housing to promote an economically diverse Newton and affirmatively further fair housing in partnership with the City.

The Partnership is an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council, Housing Trust, Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Staff on fair housing as well as Newton's housing needs, policies, programs, zoning, and specific proposals. 

To read more about the Partnership's Purpose, Roles, and Structure, please click here.