Fight Discrimination in Housing!
Austin Tenants' Council
Austin Tenants Council conducts projects regarding housing discrimination throughout the year, which require volunteer participation. Volunteers come from ALL members of the community.
The individual should be able to objectively gather and report information about the availability of housing while posing as a prospective renter or home buyer. Testers ("secret shoppers") will receive free virtual web training. This is a great opportunity for persons 18 and older, service learners, or people who just want to give back to the community.
If you are interested in learning about the Fair Housing Act, serving your community, and fighting discrimination as a fair housing tester or if you have friends or family members who you think would like to become fair housing testers, please contact me. Giovanni Zamora at Giovanni@housing-rights.org
Help us end Discrimination in Housing!
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Austin Tenants' Council
Location:
1640-B East 2nd Street, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78702, US
Mission Statement
Austin Tenants Council ensures housing stability by rectifying Fair Housing Act violations and empowering tenants to exercise their rights through mediation, advocacy, and education.
Description
Austin Tenants' Council (ATC) programs address many areas of need: housing discrimination, landlord/tenant education and information, and housing repair and rehabilitation. FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM -- This program helps any person in the Austin area who has been discriminated against in housing. The FHP investigates complaints and coordinates legal services to assist victims of discrimination when their rights under state and federal fair housing laws have been violated. TELEPHONE COUNSELING -- Trained counselors answer tenant-landlord questions and make appropriate referrals. However, ATC offers no legal advice. IN-HOUSE COUNSELING -- Counseling information and materials are provided to clients in need of more in-depth assistance. CRISIS INTERVENTION -- Counselors mediate on behalf of tenants to resolve emergencies that threaten their housing. RENTAL REPAIR ASSISTANCE -- The Renters' Rights Assistance Program helps low-income renters enforce their rights for repairs through advocacy and mediation. LEASE FORMS -- ATC sells lease packets and brochures describing landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities to landlords for a small fee.