You have a right to Fair Housing.

What does that even mean?  What if you think your rights have been violated, but you can't prove it? Who do you talk to about the fair housing issues that concern you? Does Fair Housing include apartment living?  Can you still be evicted if your rights are being violated?

Find out the answers to these and many other questions.  If there are topics that you would like for us to address, please leave a comment or email us at shape@shape.org (PutFair Housing in the subject line).

Why is this important?

SHAPE has agreed to participate as a Fair Housing Ambassador because this is important to us and the future of our community. This program is funded in part by the City of Houston and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. We will host this event, and two smaller meetings, and will be reimbursed for some of our costs associated with hosting the meetings (--but not food… they won’t reimburse us for refreshments, but we will see what we can do).

The City of Houston is currently in the process of putting together housing plans for the next 5 years.  These plans drive $250 million of housing and community development funding primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income Houstonians.  We should have a say in this process.

Over the last few years, SHAPE has received increased requests for assistance with housing issues, and it's getting worse.  Our community cannot develop and grow if we cannot even secure a roof over our heads. What are the barriers that you're facing? Some of them we know because we face them, too. It’s time to make sure that the people responsible for doing something about it—are informed and held accountable.