Fair Housing Laws

How It Works

The Fair Housing Act, or Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-relates transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and handicap. Complaints are filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and investigated by the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability in programs or activities receiving federal assistance.

Section 109 of Title I of the Housing and Community Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or religion in programs or activities receiving financial assistance from HUD’s Community Development and Block Grant Program.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs, services, and activities provided or made available by public entities. HUD enforces Title II when it relates to state and local public housing, housing assistance, and housing referrals.

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 requires that building and facilities designed, constructed, altered, or leased with certain federal funds after September 1969 be accessible to and useable by handicapped persons.

The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination based on age in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Presidential Executive Order 13166 eliminates, to the extent possible, limited English proficiency as a barrier to participation in all federally-assisted and federally conducted programs and activities.

History

Policy Update

Links

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

References

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fair Housing Laws and Presidential Executive Orders. August 29, 2006. Available at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/index.cfm. Accessed on February 8, 2007.