In the concluding months of the1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement had begun, and people were fighting for equality across all walks of life. This included getting access to equal housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson implemented the Fair Housing Act into law. This legislation prohibited discrimination in housing according to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a substantial victory for the Civil Rights Movement and permanently altered the fundamentals of American living. The following article will talk about the history of the Fair Housing Act and its significance to American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act served as a quick response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was happening all over the country. That law outlawed discrimination in public places but failed to address the discrimination in housing, leading to many Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Recognizing that the federal government had to take action to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan introduced a resolution aimed to explicitly 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 subsequently turned into law by President Lyndon Johnson.
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. Moreover, it established the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to end housing discrimination, foster economic growth, and achieve diverse, equitable societies. The regulation is also implemented by FHEO.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act had immediate and comprehensive impacts. It merged previously segregated neighborhoods with minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to search for safe and affordable housing. The act has been accounted for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children residing in low-income households.
Since its initial enactment, the Fair Housing Act has undergone multiple amendments. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, widened the definition of “family” to cover unmarried couples and persons with impairments 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 fostered the establishment of a more equal and just society by guaranteeing that all individuals have a source of safe and affordable housing. If you’re a renter in the United States, it’s essential to know your rights under the Fair Housing Act. Here are a few of the rights the Fair Housing Act protects:
- 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 believe that you have been discriminated against, you may file an accusation with HUD under the FHEO. You may also request assistance from a local fair housing organization.
It is essential to engage with landlords and property managers that are educated about and comply with fair housing legislation to protect your entitlements. Real Property Management NW Indiana is committed to fair housing practices. Browse our listings online for first-rate 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.
