Office of Civil Rights

The Office of Civil Rights, under the Center for Community Engagement and Civil Rights, consists of two units Fair Housing & Employment and Contract Compliance. These units work together to promote diversity and ensure equal access to all Boston Housing Authority (BHA) programs for applicants, residents and staff.

The Fair Housing & Employment Unit assists public housing and Leased Housing/Section 8 residents, applicants and employees to identify, review, and resolve alleged civil rights and fair housing violations. Any instance of discrimination is investigated and addressed through recommendations issued by the Fair Housing Unit. 

The Office of Civil Rights also runs a Mediation Program designed to help residents work out mutually agreeable solutions to their civil rights differences.

The Fair Housing and Employment Unit processes all requests for reasonable accommodations – special requests needed by people with disabilities. 

The Contract Compliance Unit ensures that all contractors are in compliance with prevailing wage requirements, the Minority Participation Program (MPP), the Minority Women's Business Enterprise (MWBE) program and Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968. 

Phone: (617) 988-4383
24-hour Civil Rights Hotline: (617) 695-3531
TTY: (800) 545-1833 ext. 420
Email the Civil Rights Department

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