Purpose:
The Lucas Organization LLC is committed to providing equal housing opportunities to all persons in full compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.) and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B. This policy affirms our dedication to non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of the rental process, including advertising, application review, leasing, and tenancy.
1. Statement of Non-Discrimination
It is the policy of The Lucas Organization LLC to rent and manage all residential units without discrimination based on any of the following protected characteristics:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex
- Disability
- Familial status (including children under 18 living with a parent or legal guardian)
- Age
- Marital status
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Source of income (including Section 8 and other rental subsidies)
- Veteran or military status
- Ancestry
- Status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
- Any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law
2. Applicable Laws
This policy is established in compliance with, and incorporates the requirements of, the following laws and regulations:
- The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.)
- The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988
- Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B — Unlawful Discrimination
- Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 199 — Source of Income Protections
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
3. Non-Discriminatory Practices
The Lucas Organization LLC will not, on the basis of any protected characteristic:
- Refuse to rent or negotiate for the rental of a unit.
- Impose different terms, conditions, or privileges in the rental of a unit.
- Provide different housing services or facilities.
- Falsely represent that a unit is unavailable.
- Advertise or make any statement that indicates a preference, limitation, or discrimination.
- Coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person exercising their fair housing rights.
- Retaliate against any person who has filed a fair housing complaint or participated in a fair housing investigation.
4. Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications
4.1 Reasonable Accommodations:
The Lucas Organization LLC will provide reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations are necessary to afford a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. Requests for reasonable accommodations should be submitted in writing to our management office.
4.2 Reasonable Modifications:
Tenants with disabilities may request reasonable physical modifications to their unit or common areas to ensure full enjoyment of the premises. Such modifications may be subject to the tenant's agreement to restore the unit to its original condition upon vacating, where applicable. For more information, please reference our "Alterations & Modifications (ADA) Policy".
5. Advertising & Marketing
- All advertising for available units will be conducted in a manner consistent with fair housing requirements.
- No advertisement will contain language that indicates a preference for or against any protected class.
- The Equal Housing Opportunity logo or statement will be included in all applicable advertising materials.
6. Application & Tenant Selection
All applicants are evaluated using the same objective, non-discriminatory criteria as outlined in our "Application Review Policy". Selection decisions are based solely on legitimate, business-related factors such as income, creditworthiness, and rental history — applied consistently to all applicants.
7. Familial Status & Occupancy
- The Lucas Organization LLC does not discriminate against families with children.
- Occupancy standards are based solely on the legal requirements set forth in 105 CMR 410 and applicable federal guidelines, not on the presence of children.
- Pregnant persons and persons in the process of securing legal custody of a child are afforded the same protections as families with children.
8. Complaints & Enforcement
8.1 Internal Complaints:
Any applicant or tenant who believes they have been subjected to discriminatory treatment by The Lucas Organization LLC or its agents may submit a written complaint to our management office. All complaints will be reviewed promptly and in good faith.
8.2 External Complaints:
Applicants and tenants also have the right to file a complaint with the following agencies:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): hud.gov/fairhousing or 1-800-669-9777
- Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD): mass.gov/mcad or 617-994-6000
- Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Civil Rights Division: mass.gov/ago
9. Staff Training & Compliance
- All employees and agents of The Lucas Organization LLC who are involved in the rental process receive training on fair housing laws and this policy.
- Violations of this policy by any employee or agent may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
- This policy is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in applicable law.
10. Contact Information
For questions or concerns regarding this policy, tenants may contact the property management office at:
Effective Date: 23rd day of October 2023
Reference Documents
The following official fair housing posters are provided for reference. Click to view or download.