In the final months of the1960s, 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. This incorporated the entitlement to equitable housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law. This bill prohibited discrimination in housing on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was an important victory for the Civil Rights Movement and eternally shifted the way of American living. This article will discuss the history of the Fair Housing Act and its significance to American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was an immediate remedy to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the national fight for equality that was underway. That order outlawed discrimination in public places but failed to tackle discrimination in housing, leaving many Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Knowing that the federal government had to take action to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan presented a resolution 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 subsequently enacted into law by President Lyndon Johnson.
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 launched the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to end housing discrimination, promote economic development, and attain diverse, inclusive populations. The regulation is also enforced by FHEO.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act had immediate and extensive consequences. It opened previously segregated neighborhoods to minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to search for safe and affordable housing. The act has been acknowledged for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children dwelling in low-income households.
Since its first enactment, the Fair Housing Act has been adjusted on numerous occasions. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, extended the definition of “family” to cover 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. It has facilitated build a more equal and just society by guaranteeing that all individuals have access 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. Here are a few 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 believe that you have been discriminated against, you have the option to submit a complaint to HUD under the FHEO. Additionally, you may seek assistance from a fair housing organization in your vicinity.
It is imperative to collaborate with landlords and property managers who are well-informed about and obey equitable housing laws in order to safeguard your rights. Real Property Management Varanasi has a longstanding dedication to equitable housing. Browse our listings online for first-rate rental homes.
Originally Published on October 15, 2022
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.
