Source-of-Income Discrimination: Austin vs Pflugerville
How do source-of-income discrimination rules compare between Austin, TX and Pflugerville, TX?
Austin and Pflugerville have similar restriction levels.
Austin, TX
Travis County
Austin enacted a source-of-income antidiscrimination ordinance in 2014, but Texas HB 1510 (2015), codified at Local Government Code Section 250.007, expressly preempted it. Private Austin landlords may legally refuse Section 8 vouchers today.
View full Austin rules →Pflugerville, TX
Travis County
Texas Local Government Code 250.007 prohibits cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers. Travis County therefore cannot enforce source-of-income protections, and refusing voucher tenants is lawful.
View full Pflugerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Austin | Pflugerville |
|---|---|---|
| Austin ordinance | 20141211-050 enacted, preempted | - |
| Preemption statute | TX Local Gov't Code Sec. 250.007 | - |
| Preempting bill | HB 1510 (2015) | - |
| Federal status | Not protected under FHA | - |
| Disparate impact | Still actionable under FHA | - |
| TX preemption | - | Loc Govt 250.007 |
| Voucher acceptance required | - | No |
| FHA protected classes apply | - | Yes |
| Austin local rule | - | Preempted |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Austin FAQ
Can an Austin landlord refuse my Section 8 voucher?
Yes. Texas HB 1510 (2015) preempted Austin's source-of-income ordinance. Landlords may decline vouchers freely. Some participate voluntarily; check HACA's preferred-landlord list for opportunities.
What if I think the rejection is racial or disability-based?
Federal Fair Housing Act and Austin Code Chapter 5-2 protections still apply. File with HUD or the Austin Office of Civil Rights if voucher refusal is pretext for protected-class discrimination.
Pflugerville FAQ
Can a Travis County landlord refuse my Section 8 voucher?
Yes. Texas Local Government Code 250.007 preempts any local rule requiring voucher acceptance, so refusing solely on income source is lawful.
What protections still apply?
Federal Fair Housing Act protections against race, color, religion, sex, disability, family status, and national origin discrimination remain fully enforceable.
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