In the late 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement was in full motion, and everyone was fighting for equality across all walks of life. The right to fair housing was one of these. The Fair Housing Act was declared into law by President Lyndon Johnson on April 11, 1968. This bill prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a crucial victory for the Civil Rights Movement and altered the face of American living forever. The following section will discuss the history of the Fair Housing Act and how it influences American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was an immediate response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was arising across the state. That constitution outlawed discrimination in public places but did not discuss discrimination in housing, leaving a lot of Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Understanding that the federal government should do more to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan spearheaded a bill to directly prohibit housing discrimination. On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. The Fair Housing Act was passed by Congress on April 11, 1968, and was declared into law by President Lyndon Johnson on the same day.
The Fair Housing Act addressed housing inequality by making it illegal to discriminate against renters based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also established the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to remove housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities. The act’s enforcement is also FHEO’s responsibility.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The impacts of the Fair Housing Act were instant and comprehensive. It opened formerly segregated neighborhoods to minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to get safe and affordable housing. The act has been acknowledged for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children dwelling in low-income households.
Several amendments have been made to the Fair Housing Act since it was initially passed. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, enhanced the definition of “family” to involve unmarried couples and disabled individuals and strengthened the act’s enforcement provisions.
The Fair Housing Act and You
The Fair Housing Act is one of American history’s most important pieces of legislation. It has contributed to creating a more equal and just society by ensuring everybody can afford safe and affordable housing. If you’re a renter in the United States, it’s vital to know your rights under the Fair Housing Act. Some of the rights the Fair Housing Act protects include:
- The right to choose a housing option without discrimination
- The right to live in a safe and decent housing environment
- The right to fair treatment during the housing search process
- The right to not be denied housing based on your income
If you seem like you’ve been discriminated against, you can submit a complaint with HUD under the FHEO. A local fair housing organization may potentially be able to assist you.
To ensure that your rights are protected, it is crucial that you work with property managers that are knowledgeable about and adhere to fair housing legislation. The dedication to fair housing at Real Property Management Allegiance goes back many years. Browse our listings online for top-notch rental homes.
Originally Published on October 15, 2022
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
