Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

By City of Cambridge

CHRC investigates complaints of discrimination that occur in Cambridge; in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations.

Hours of operation

Monday: 8:30 am-8:00 pm

Tuesday: 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday: 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday: 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Friday: 8:30 am-12:00 pm

Contact

Cambridge Human Rights Commission
HRC@cambridgema.gov
617-349-4396

Please see our website for scheduling appointments while buildings are closed to the public.

Location

51 Inman Street
2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Mid Cambridge

Additional information

The Commission enforces two ordinances: the Cambridge Human Rights Ordinance, chapter 2.76, and the Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance, chapter 14.04. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age, family status, marital status, military status, and source of income.

Current programs

Immigrant Resources at CHRC

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Mid Cambridge

Our Immigration Services assist individuals to process immigrant visa or becoming a permanent resident.

Immigrant Resource Guide

Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge Health Alliance, and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

This guide contains Mental Health and Domestic Violence resources for immigrant families in Cambridge.

CHRC Housing Discrimination Guide

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Learn about the resources available to you if you believe you have been discriminated against. Materials are in ASL, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Somali, Portuguese.

Housed In Cambridge

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC), Community Development Department, and Cambridge Public Library

Housed In Cambridge: Information to Open Doors is a citywide campaign designed to educate and inform residents on housing opportunities and housing-related resources and services.

Housed In Cambridge's Online Guide

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC), Community Development Department, and Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP)

The guide is organized around six key themes: affordable housing, emergency housing, housing rights, legal and mediation services, safe & healthy homes, and financial assistance.

Housed In Cambridge Video Library

City of Cambridge, Community Development Department, and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Housed in Cambridge: Information to Open Doors webinar recordings.

Show past programs.:

CANCELLED: Fair and Affordable Housing Open House

Community Development Department and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Sat, April 25 2020, All day

Mid Cambridge

Attend the Fair and Affordable Housing Open House event on Saturday, April 25, 2020 to learn about services and programs available in Cambridge that address a range of housing needs.

Show past events.:

Housed In Cambridge Drop In Hours

Community Development Department, Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC), DHSP Multi-Service Center (MSC), and Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Have a Housing or Housing Related Question? Drop in to Meet the Team and find out about Housing Resources in Cambridge! City Staff will be on hand to answer your questions and provide information.

Housed in Cambridge: Fair Housing and COVID 19

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC), Community Development Department, and DHSP Multi-Service Center (MSC)

This webinar will discuss the protections available to Cambridge residents, common types of housing discrimination complaints – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housed In Cambridge for Landlords, Property Managers and Realtors

DHSP Multi-Service Center (MSC), Community Development Department, and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Find out about the ease and benefits of renting to a voucher holder and help ensure safe, affordable housing in our community.

Housed in Cambridge: Mastering Your Credit Score

Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC), Just A Start, Community Development Department, and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Learn how to access your reports and credit score for free, along with a checklist of tasks to improve your score and advocate for yourself around your credit report.

Housed In Cambridge - Housing Rights Panel

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and Community Development Department

The Cambridge Human Rights Commission and the Attorney General's Office will present on housing rights in Cambridge and statewide.

Pride & Progress - Film festival and symposium

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

West Cambridge

The film we're presenting highlights human rights activists, filmmakers, and other figures who led culture change and fought against criminalization and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people.

Housed In Cambridge Scam Prevention Webinar

Cambridge Police Department and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Attend this Housed In Cambridge webinar to learn about the latest scams and how to best protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming a victim. Presented by Cambridge Police Department.

Housed In Cambridge Drop-In Hours

Community Development Department, Cambridge Public Library, and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Mid Cambridge

Do you have a question related to housing? Drop in to meet the Housed in Cambridge team and find out about housing resources in Cambridge!

Housed In Cambridge - Food Pantries

Community Development Department, Cambridge Public Library, and Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Do you want to learn about how to get fresh and nutritious food in Cambridge at no cost to you? Come learn how food pantries work.

LGBTQ+ Fair Housing- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protections

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC)

Wednesday, March 29 6pm – 7:30pm

Learn about discriminatory housing practices and how to best handle various housing-related scenarios.

Housed in Cambridge: Fuel and Utility Assistance Programs

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and Community Development Department

Join us for a free informational webinar to learn about discounts, financial assistance and weatherization programs available to help pay your utility bills, including heat and electricity, year-round

Housed in Cambridge: Subsidized Housing

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and Community Development Department

Join us for a free informational webinar to learn about the application processes and eligibility for Subsidized Housing.

Housed in Cambridge: Housing Search Tips and Tools

Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and Community Development Department

Join us for a free informational webinar to help you get your housing applications documents in order and learn how to address potential barriers such as credit screening or CORI records.