In the latter part of the 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement was in progress, and everyone was fighting for equality across all walks of life. Among these was the right to equitable housing. The Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on April 11, 1968. This legislation prohibited discrimination in housing according to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was an enormous victory for the Civil Rights Movement and transformed the face of American living forever. This article will focus on the history of the Fair Housing Act and how it has affected American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
In direct response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the nationwide fight for equality, the Fair Housing Act was created. Even though that law outlawed discrimination in public places, it failed to deal with discrimination in housing, which resulted in many Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Accepting that the federal government had a duty to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan underwrote an act that would completely 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 brought 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. Additionally, it founded the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to abolish housing discrimination, increase financial opportunity, and establish inclusive, varied communities. The act’s enforcement is another duty of FHEO.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act‘s impact was profound and immediate. It opened formerly segregated neighborhoods to minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to locate safe and affordable housing. The act has been acknowledged for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children from low-income households.
Since its first enactment, the Fair Housing Act has undergone numerous amendments. The most recent amendment passed in 1988, widened the definition of “family” to encompass unmarried couples and persons 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. Because it has made safe and affordable housing accessible to everybody, it has contributed to the development of a more equal and just society. If you’re a renter in the United States, it’s vital to know your rights under the Fair Housing Act. The following are some 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 feel like you’ve been discriminated against, you can write a complaint with HUD under the FHEO. Another option is to ask for assistance from a fair housing organization in your area.
In order to safeguard your rights, you must work with property managers that are aware of and abide by fair housing legislation. For many years, Real Property Management Premium has been dedicated to providing equitable housing. Browse our listings online for high-quality 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.
