How the Fair Housing Act Transformed Housing Equality in America

In the late 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, and everybody was fighting for equality across all walks of life. The right to equitable housing was one of these. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law. This statute prohibited discrimination in housing on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and permanently altered American living. In this section, we will examine in great detail the history of the Fair Housing Act and its influence on American renters.

Civil Rights and Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act was a primary response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was going on nationwide. That statute outlawed discrimination in public places but neglected to tackle discrimination in housing, leaving several Americans living in substandard housing conditions.

Knowing that the federal government had an obligation to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan introduced a measure that would immediately 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 shortly thereafter.

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 also developed the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to eradicate housing discrimination, advance economic opportunity, and build diverse, inclusive populations. In addition, the act’s enforcement is under the purview of FHEO.

The Impact of Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act had an immediate and significant effect. It made it easier for families of all income levels to acquire safe and affordable housing and allowed minorities to live in formerly segregated neighborhoods. The bill has been acknowledged for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children living in low-income households.

Since it was first passed, the Fair Housing Act has undergone multiple amendments. The most recent amendment passed in 1988, broadened the definition of “family” to incorporate unmarried couples and individuals 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 contributed to the development of a more equal and just society by ensuring all individuals have a right to safe and affordable housing. If you’re a renter in the United States, it’s imperative to know your rights under the Fair Housing Act. Some of the rights the Fair Housing Act protects are:

• 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 you have been discriminated against, you can file an appeal with HUD under the FHEO. For assistance, you can also get in touch with a fair housing organization in your community.

Protecting your rights requires collaborating with property managers and landlords who are aware of and abide by fair housing rules. Fair housing has long been a priority for Real Property Management of Soflo. Browse our listings online for outstanding rental homes.