Corpus Christi landlords may legally refuse to accept Section 8 vouchers and other government rental subsidies. Texas Local Government Code §250.007 preempts cities from requiring landlords to participate in housing voucher programs as a fair-housing protected category.
Texas in 2015 enacted Local Government Code §250.007, which prohibits municipalities from making a landlord's refusal to lease to a Housing Choice Voucher holder a violation of source-of-income antidiscrimination protections. Corpus Christi accordingly cannot mandate Section 8 acceptance. Landlords remain bound by federal and Texas fair-housing law against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability, but may decline voucher payments without legal exposure. Some Corpus Christi landlords voluntarily accept HCV through the Corpus Christi Housing Authority, and HUD program participation can carry separate federal contractual obligations once a unit is enrolled.
Refusing to rent based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability violates federal and Texas Fair Housing Acts. Refusing voucher use alone is not a city or state violation in Texas.
See how Corpus Christi's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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