January 1, 2026

Failing the Test? Housing Providers in Central and Western Mass. Deny Access to Rentals Through Discriminatory Housing

BY Fair Housing ProjectCommunity Legal Aid

The testing program of Community Legal Aid’s Fair Housing Project conducted and completed 178 tests over the course of one year, from October 2024 to September 2025, to examine patterns and trends in housing discrimination in our service area. Testing is a process where trained investigators are sent to act as prospective renters in order to determine whether housing providers are acting in accordance with the Fair Housing Act and other federal and state fair housing laws. Results of this testing indicate a consistent presence of housing discrimination and other barriers to housing in Central and Western Massachusetts. Read the full report.