In the late 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. People were fighting for equality across all walks of life during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. This encompassed the entitlement to equitable housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson brought the Fair Housing Act into law. This act prohibited discrimination in housing due to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and reformed the face of American living permanently. The next section will look more closely at the history of the Fair Housing Act and its influences on American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was a direct reaction to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was existing in all parts of the country. That rule outlawed discrimination in public places but did not fight discrimination in housing, leaving numerous Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Admitting that the federal government had an accountability to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan proposed a rule that would 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 approved 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 constituted the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to abolish housing discrimination, promote financial opportunity, and accomplish diverse, inclusive neighborhoods. The act is also to be enforced by FHEO.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The effects of the Fair Housing Act were immediate and comprehensive. It opened previously segregated neighborhoods to minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to acquire safe and affordable housing. The act has been regarded as reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for kids living in low-income households.
Since its first adoption, the Fair Housing Act has undergone multiple amendments. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, developed the definition of “family” to include unmarried couples and people with disabilities 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 aided in generating a more equal and just society by guaranteeing everyone can afford safe and affordable housing. If you’re a renter in the United States, it is a good idea 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 report it to HUD under the FHEO. Another option is to get in touch with a local fair housing organization for assistance.
It is crucial to deal with landlords and property managers who are aware of and adhere to fair housing legislation if you want to safeguard your rights. Fair housing has been an important part of Real Property Management Performance‘s mission for many years. Browse our listings online for excellent 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.
