America was in a state of upheaval in the late 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement was in full motion, and residents were fighting for equality across all walks of life. This covered the entitlement to fair housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson decreed the Fair Housing Act into law. This bill prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was an essential victory for the Civil Rights Movement and shifted the demographics of American living forever. This post will examine more closely the history of the Fair Housing Act and its consequences on American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was a direct answer to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was transpiring across the country. That rule outlawed discrimination in public places but did not cover discrimination in housing, leaving several Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan introduced a bill directly prohibiting housing discrimination since they thought the federal government had a duty to address housing inequality. 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 ratified into law by President Lyndon Johnson on that 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 additionally founded the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to remove housing discrimination, foster job creation, and develop diverse, equitable neighborhoods. The act is also enforced by FHEO.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act’s consequences were immediate and far-reaching. It opened formerly segregated neighborhoods to 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 been changed repeatedly since its initial passage. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, extended the definition of “family” to cover unmarried couples and those 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. It has assisted in creating a more equal and just society by guaranteeing everyone enjoys safe and affordable housing. If you’re a renter in the United States, it’s critical 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
Should you believe you have been discriminated against, you may report it to HUD under the FHEO. You may also get in touch with a fair housing organization in your area for assistance.
Protecting your rights depends on working with landlords and property managers who know and enforce fair housing rules. Real Property Management Last Frontier has long been dedicated to equitable housing. Browse our listings online for 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.
