What is Fair Housing Month?
National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act in April 1968. This year, we celebrate the 54th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), the landmark civil rights law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, that made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status.
Why is Fair Housing Important?
Where we live impacts nearly every part of our lives and plays a large role in determining a person’s quality of life. An individual’s home affects their school, employment, methods of transportation, medical services, retail services, recreation, and other aspects of their life. A home should provide security, personal happiness, connection to community and access to opportunities.
Fair Housing is essential for giving people equal access to the housing they choose and can afford. Further, it promotes integration and building inclusive communities that attract economic development and provide a diverse group of workers who support local enterprises.
What is prohibited under the Fair Housing Act?
It is illegal discrimination to take any of the following actions in the sale and rental of housing because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin
For a complete list, visit the HUD website.
Refuse to rent or sell housing
Refuse to negotiate for housing
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
Provide a person different housing services or facilities
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
Make, print, or publish any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination
Impose different sales prices or rental charges for the sale or rental of a dwelling
Use different qualification criteria or applications, or sale or rental standards or procedures, such as income standards, application requirements, application fees, credit analyses, sale or rental approval procedures or other requirements
How to File a Fair Housing Complaint
If you believe that you have experienced housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or family status, you can file a report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. When submitting a complaint, please provide as much information as possible, including:
Your name and address
The name and address of the person(s) or organization your complaint is against
The address or other identification of the housing or program involved
A short description of the event(s) that cause you to believe your rights were violated
The date(s) of the alleged violation
HUD Hotline at 1-800-669-9777 (English/Español)
1-800-927-9275 (TTY)
Where to find help locally:
1-833-545-4537
505-768-4595 (TTY 771)