In the last quarter of the 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement was really moving, and people were fighting for equality across all walks of life. This included the entitlement to equitable housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson approved the Fair Housing Act into law. This ruling prohibited discrimination in housing according to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a critical victory for the Civil Rights Movement and permanently impacted American living. This article will investigate the history of the Fair Housing Act and its impacts on American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was enacted as the result of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality transpiring all over the country. That law outlawed discrimination in public places but didn’t deal with discrimination in housing, leaving countless Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Considering the federal government‘s accountability to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan filed a law that would specifically 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 signed 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 started the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to get rid of housing discrimination, enhance financial possibilities, and achieve broad, inclusive communities. FHEO is responsible for ensuring compliance with the act.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The outcomes of the Fair Housing Act were immediate and all-inclusive. It integrated previously segregated neighborhoods into minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to find safe and affordable housing. The act has been acclaimed for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children living in low-income households.
The Fair Housing Act has gone through numerous alterations since its initial enactment. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, expanded the definition of “family” to incorporate unmarried partners and individuals with handicaps 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 helped promote the building of a more equal and just society by offering everyone access to safe and affordable housing. If you’re a renter in the United States, it’s advisable 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 feel like you’ve been discriminated against, you may contact HUD under the FHEO to submit a complaint. If you require assistance, do not hesitate to contact a local fair housing organization.
Teaming up with landlords and property managers who recognize and comply with fair housing rules can be helpful for defending your rights. Real Property Management Evertrust possesses a commendable history of commitment to equitable housing practices. Browse our listings online for some exceptional rental homes.
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.
