In the latter stages of the 1960s, America was in a state of upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement was rising and falling, with individuals fighting for equality across all walks of life. The entitlement to fair housing was among these. The Fair Housing Act was passed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on April 11, 1968. This law prohibited discrimination in housing because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was an essential victory for the Civil Rights Movement and dramatically changed the face of American living. The following post will talk about the history of the Fair Housing Act and how it affects American renters.
Civil Rights and Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act was a clear reaction to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the emerging fight for equality nationwide. That constitution outlawed discrimination in public places but did not tackle discrimination in housing, resulting in a lot of Americans living in substandard housing conditions.
Recognizing the necessity for the federal government to address housing inequality, Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts and Representative John Conyers of Michigan initiated legislation to prohibit housing discrimination explicitly. 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 declared 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. Also, it created the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to abolish housing discrimination, encourage economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, open-minded neighborhoods. The implementation of the act is also the duty of FHEO’s.
The Impact of Fair Housing
The effects of the Fair Housing Act were swift and wide-ranging. It connected formerly segregated neighborhoods to minorities and made it easier for families of all income levels to get safe and affordable housing. The legislation has been commended for reducing poverty and improving educational outcomes for children living in low-income households.
Numerous changes have been enacted to the Fair Housing Act since its original passage. The most recent amendment, passed in 1988, expanded the definition of “family” to involve unmarried partners and disabled persons 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 fostered a more equal and just society by ensuring that all individuals may access 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
If you seem like you’ve been discriminated against, you may file a grievance with HUD under the FHEO. Moreover, you may consult with a local fair housing organization for help, such as one serving the Oklahoma City area. To safeguard your rights, it is imperative to collaborate with property managers that are well-versed in and comply with fair housing laws. Real Property Management Enterprises has a longstanding commitment to fair housing. Browse our listings online for top-notch rental homes, including those in Oklahoma City.
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.
