In the course of the 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. Individuals were fighting for equality across all walks of life as the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. This incorporated having access to fair housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson passed the Fair Housing Act into law. This declaration prohibited discrimination in housing in regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a great victory for the Civil Rights Movement and forever transformed the face of American living. This post will focus on the history of the Fair Housing Act and analyze its effects on American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was meant to respond to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was ongoing all over the country. That act outlawed discrimination in public places but disregarded discrimination in housing, resulting in many Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
In recognition of the federal government’s responsibility to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan submitted legislation that would 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 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. In addition, it created the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to exterminate housing discrimination, stimulate economic growth, and foster diverse, inclusive communities. The implementation of the legislation is also the obligation of FHEO.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The influences of the Fair Housing Act were prompt and profound. It opened previously segregated neighborhoods to minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to look for safe and affordable housing. The regulation is associated with reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children from low-income households.
Numerous revisions have been enacted to the Fair Housing Act since its original enactment. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, revised the definition of “family” to add unmarried couples and individuals with medical conditions 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 helped develop a more equal and just society by securing everyone’s access to safe and affordable housing. 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 seem like you’ve been discriminated against, you may submit an appeal to HUD under the FHEO. Furthermore, you may contact a nearby fair housing organization for support.
Teaming up with landlords and property managers who are educated about and abide by fair housing rules is a prerequisite for defending your privileges. Real Property Management Endeavor has a longstanding commitment to equal housing. Browse our listings online for 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.
