cfa lgbt housing guide updated-4 (1) - Flipbook - Page 13
HOUSING GUIDE
Best Practice
BEST PRACTICE
Explicit
Nondiscrimination
Policies for the LGBT
Community
In the State of Texas, there are many protected classes
such as race, religion, disability, etc. Unfortunately, there is
no such State protection for the LGBT community. This is
why it is imperative that all senior housing communities are
explicit in their nondiscrimination policies. We’ll review
some examples of effective and clear nondiscrimination
policies, specifically for LGBT residents, LGBT employees,
and for LGBT visitation rights.
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Best Practice
HOUSING GUIDE
LGBT Resident Nondiscrimination
The State of Texas has laws in place to
protect people who live in communities
regulated by the Texas Health and Human
Services Commission (HSSC). A copy of
Resident Rights must be given at time
of admission to the resident as well as
the responsible party. Examples of these
rights include a right “to practice the
religion of choice” and “to be treated with
courtesy, consideration, and respect.”
Types of facilities regulated by HHSC
are Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living
Centers. Independent living communities
are not required to abide by these
rights. In addition, these rights omit the
LGBT community. For these reasons,
it is essential to provide a revision or
addendum to these resident rights within
the admission packet , and in your resident
bill of rights, that explicitly protects the
LGBT community. A great example of this
addition comes from Plano Community
Homes, who simply added a statement
that included the right to:
“Equal access to HUD
programs without regard to
a person’s actual or perceived
sexual orientation, gender
identity, or marital status,
including same-sex partners.”
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