Table of Contents
Deadlines for potential legal claims and referrals
If you want to pursue claims for housing discrimination, you have several options for next steps.
- File an administrative complaint with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), The State of Texas – Texas Workforce Commission, or in some cities, with the city itself.
- They investigate complaints of discrimination and may be able to help you resolve the issue through informal negotiations with the other side.
- Important: You have one year from the date of the discrimination to file an administrative complaint.
- Learn more about filing a HUD complaint.
- You should also file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission.
- File a lawsuit in State or Federal Court
- If you want to file a lawsuit, look for an attorney NOW.
- You only have two years to file a lawsuit under the Fair Housing Acts.
- Please remember that filing an administrative complaint is NOT the same as filing a state or federal lawsuit.
If you want to pursue any claims you may have, seek the services of an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will need time to research and prepare your case. Here are legal resources that may be able to help.
- You can call the Texas State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 800.252.9690 to get connected with a lawyer that handles matters like this. The lawyer you are referred to will provide you with a 30-minute consultation for no more than $20.
- The State Bar of Texas website provides a starting point to locate an attorney that may be able to help you.
- Search for an attorney with the Texas State Law Library.
- Connect with your local legal aid.
TWC-CRD
Texas Workforce Commission – Civil Rights Division
1117 Trinity Street, Room 144-T
Austin, TX, 78701
(888) 452-4778
(512) 263-2642
TTY: 512-371-7473
Fax: 512-463-2643
Email: housingcomplaint@twc.state.tx.us
Local housing offices
Austin
City of Austin Equal Employment and Fair Housing Office
1050 E. 11th Street, Suite 300
Austin, TX, 78702
(512) 974-3251
Corpus Christi
City of Corpus Christi Department of Human Relations
1201 Leopard Street, 1st Floor
Corpus Christi, TX, 78401
(361) 826-3190
Dallas
City of Dallas Fair Housing Office
1500 Marilla Street, Room 1B North
Dallas, TX, 76102
(817) 392-7525
Fort Worth
Fort Worth Human Relations Commission
1000 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, TX, 76102
(817) 392-7525
Garland
City of Garland Fair Housing Services
210 Carver Street, Suite 102A
Garland, TX, 75040
(972) 205-3316
Created: August 25, 2020
Updated: October 22, 2025
Publication Code: HS11
www.DRTx.org
Statewide Intake: 1-800-252-9108
Sign Language Video Phone: 1-866-362-2851
Purple 2 Video Phone: 512-271-9391
Online Intake available 24/7: intake.DRTx.org
Disclaimer: Disability Rights Texas strives to update its materials on an annual basis, and this handout is based upon the law at the time it was written. The law changes frequently and is subject to various interpretations by different courts. Future changes in the law may make some information in this handout inaccurate.
The handout is not intended to and does not replace an attorney’s advice or assistance based on your particular situation.
To request this handout in ASL, Braille, or as an audio file, contact us.
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