The History of the Fair Housing Act: How it Changed the Face of American Living

America was in a state of upheaval during the late 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement was in full motion, and residents were fighting for equality across all walks of life. This included access to fair housing. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson approved the Fair Housing Act into law. This law prohibited discrimination in housing due to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a historic victory for the Civil Rights Movement and changed the demographics of American living forever. This article will examine more closely the history of the Fair Housing Act and its impacts on American renters.

Civil Rights and Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act was an immediate answer to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the fight for equality that was prevalent across the country. That act outlawed discrimination in public places but failed to remove discrimination in housing, leaving several Americans living in substandard housing conditions.

Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan supported a bill to immediately prohibit housing discrimination since they acknowledged the federal government had a liability 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 signed 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 created the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to abolish housing discrimination, foster job creation, and cultivate varied, equitable communities. The act is also administered by FHEO.

The Impact of Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act’s impacts were fast 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 praised for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children living in low-income households.

The Fair Housing Act has been altered repeatedly since its initial enactment. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, stretched the definition of “family” to cover unmarried couples and those with impairments 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 developing a more equal and just society by ensuring that all individuals are able to secure 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 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 think you have been discriminated against, you can file a report with HUD under the FHEO. You might also reach out to a fair housing organization in your area for support.

Safeguarding your rights relies on collaborating with landlords and property managers who understand and uphold equitable housing regulations. Real Property Management Trusted Hands has consistently been committed to fair housing. Browse our listings online for quality rental homes.

Originally Published on October 15, 2022