In the late 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, and people were fighting for equality across all walks of life. This included the right to fair housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law. This act prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement, and it changed the face of American living forever. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of the Fair Housing Act and its effects on American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was a direct response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was taking place across the country. That act outlawed discrimination in public places but did not address discrimination in housing. This left many black Americans living in substandard housing conditions. The Kerner Commission, studying the civil disorders and causes of riots in US Cities in 1967, wrote, “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.”
Recognizing that the federal government had a responsibility to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan sponsored an act 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 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. Moreover, it produced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), which works to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities. FHEO is also responsible for enforcing the act.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The effects of the Fair Housing Act were immediate and far-reaching. It opened up previously segregated neighborhoods to minorities. Moreover, it simplified matters for families of all income levels to find safe and affordable housing. The act has been given credit for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children living in low-income households.
The Fair Housing Act has been amended several times since it was first passed. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, expanded the definition of “family” to include unmarried couples and people with disabilities. It also strengthened the enforcement provisions of the act.
The Fair Housing Act and You
The Fair Housing Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history. Because of this, a more equal and just society by guaranteeing everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. If you’re a renter in the United States, you should be aware of your rights under the Fair Housing Act. Some of the rights the Fair Housing Act safeguards involve:
- 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 for the duration of the housing search process
- The right to not be refused to house based on your income
If you feel like you’ve been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with HUD under the FHEO. You can reach out to a fair housing organization in your area for help.
To best protect your rights, it’s also important to work with landlords and property managers who know and follow fair housing laws. Real Property Management Faith has a long history of commitment to fair housing. Browse our listings online to check out the quality rental homes in Fishers.
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.
