Help and resources for apartment renters in Greater Houston
If you rent an apartment in the Houston area and need to file a complaint, understand your rights, or find legal help, the organisations below are real, established places to start. This list covers federal and state agencies, local fair housing groups, legal aid, and the trade associations that represent apartment owners and managers.
Government & regulatory
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Federal agency that enforces the Fair Housing Act, handles housing discrimination complaints, and oversees public housing and Section 8 programs nationwide.
Visit website → Phone: (800) 955-2232 -
HUD Houston Field Office
Regional HUD office handling Houston-area fair housing complaints and oversight of HUD-assisted multifamily housing.
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Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
State agency overseeing affordable rental housing, fair housing complaints, and rental and utility assistance programs across Texas, administering more than $400 million a year in housing and community assistance.
Industry & professional associations
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Texas Apartment Association (TAA)
Statewide trade association for rental housing owners, managers, and suppliers that publishes lease forms and the 'Redbook' reference on landlord-tenant law, and is affiliated with the National Apartment Association and local associations in 24 Texas cities.
Visit website → 1011 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 600, Austin, Texas 78701-1951 -
Houston Apartment Association (HAA)
The Houston-area trade association for apartment owners and managers, offering a public renter resource hub with tenant/landlord guidance and legal-referral phone numbers.
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National Apartment Association (NAA)
National trade association for the rental housing industry, providing advocacy, education, and industry standards for over 93,000 member companies operating 10 million rental housing units.
Consumer protection
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Federal agency that takes consumer complaints about landlords, debt collectors, and unfair or deceptive financial practices tied to housing.
Visit website → Phone: (855) 411-2372
Legal help
This is general information, not legal advice. Speak to a qualified professional about your specific situation.
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Greater Houston Fair Housing Center, Inc.
HUD-funded local nonprofit that helps Houston-area tenants file and pursue fair housing discrimination complaints; a Fair Housing Specialist contacts complainants within 30 days of submission.
Visit website → Phone: (713) 641-3247 -
Austin Tenants Council, Inc.
HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP)-funded organization that assists Texas tenants, including statewide referral resources, with fair housing complaints.
Phone: (512) 474-1961 -
San Antonio Fair Housing Council, Inc.
HUD FHIP-funded organization that takes fair housing complaint intake for Texas tenants.
Phone: (210) 733-3247
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