Fair Housing

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​On April 11, 1968, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. With Title VIII of this Act, commonly referred to as the Fair Housing Law, Congress declared a national policy of providing fair housing throughout the United States. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:Race or Color

• National Origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Familial Status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under the age of 18) 
• Handicap ​​

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In the sale and rental of housing, no one may discriminate by taking any of the following actions:

• Refusing to rent or sell housing
• Refusing to negotiate housing
• Making housing unavailable
• Denying a dwelling
• Setting different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
• Providing different housing services or facilities -
• Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental
• For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting)
• Denying anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing

If you do not currently have a policy to ensure the objective and non-discriminatory selection of families, you should consider developing one. Such a policy will be to your advantage because, in promoting fair housing, you will minimize your exposure to unfounded housing discrimination complaints. After all, fair housing is a right afforded to all persons seeking housing, whether they are Housing Choice Program participants or private market renters. It is your obligation as a landlord to comply with the law that guarantees this right.