Northborough, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 9 28 § 9-28-020
Town’s responsibility (Northborough Ch. 9-28 Fair Housing)
Operative Text
The town agrees to abide by the following: A. The town will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration which have the effect of subjecting persons to discrimination or have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing fair housing with respect to persons of a particular race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, age or marital status. B. The town will not, in determining the site or location of housing, accommodations or facilities, make selections with the purpose or effect of excluding persons from, subjecting them to discrimination or denying them the benefits of any fair housing program on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, age or marital status. C. The town will take affirmative action to overcome the effects of prior discrimination. D. If prior discrimination has been absent, the town will take affirmative action to overcome the effects of conditions which may limit participation by persons of a particular race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, age or marital status. E. The town reserves the right to take reasonable action in order to eliminate, remove or overcome any discriminatory practice or usage, past or present, and to accomplish the purpose of this policy.
Northborough, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 9 28 § 9-28-020 establishes the town's own obligations in administering housing programs and selecting housing sites. The town commits to avoiding any criteria, methods, or location decisions that produce discriminatory effects based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, age, or marital status. Beyond simply refraining from discrimination, the provision also requires the town to take affirmative steps to address the lingering effects of past discrimination or conditions that limit participation by protected groups.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under town-administered housing programs in Northborough should be aware that § 9-28-020 places affirmative anti-discrimination obligations directly on the town itself, which can shape how local housing programs are structured and administered. Compliant operators generally align their own practices with the town's stated fair housing commitments, since town-administered contracts or arrangements are explicitly covered by this provision. Staying informed about how the town implements these obligations can help operators understand the standards expected within any town-affiliated housing program.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 9-28-020 of the Northborough Code of Bylaws gives residents a basis to expect that the town will not use discriminatory criteria or site-selection methods in housing programs, and that the town will actively work to remedy the effects of past discrimination. Tenants who believe the town has failed to meet these obligations may consider raising the provision in communications with local officials or relevant oversight bodies. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Massachusetts fair housing law can help individuals understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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