Fair Housing Act - Facts and Basics You Need to Know

History speaks of indescribable discrimination against African-Americans. It became so prevalent that even housing opportunities for them were restricted and limited. The movement for an end to this housing discrimination was started in 1957 and was only given concrete recognition in the form of a federal policy in 1968 which could be found in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, more commonly known as the Fair Housing Act.

This act, as amended, provides rights for all people, not only African-Americans, but for all people who are in need of a dwelling. This act covers most housing but with certain exemptions in some circumstances. It exempts owner-occupied buildings that do not have more than four units, a single-family housing that was sold or rented without a broker, and a housing that is operated by an organization or private clubs that limit its occupancy to its members.

There are two aspects that this act sets certain prohibitions upon. These are in the sale or rent of a house, and in mortgage lending. Generally the Fair Housing Act commands that nobody should take derogatory actions against anybody based on race, national origin, color, sex, religion, and familial status or handicap.

The acts prohibited by the Fair Housing Act in relation to a sale/rent of a housing are: refusal to rent or sell housing, refusal to negotiate for housing, making housing unavailable, denying a dwelling, setting different terms, privileges, or conditions involving the sale or the rental of a dwelling, providing different facilities or housing services , falsely denying that housing is available for sale or rental, or inspection, blockbusting, and denying anybody access or membership in a certain facility or service which is related to rental or sale of a housing.

In mortgage lending, the acts prohibited are: refusal to make a mortgage loan, refusal to provide the information regarding loans, imposing different loan terms or conditions such as a different interest rate or points or fees, discriminating in appraising a property, refusal to purchase a loan, and setting different terms or conditions for the purchase of a loan.

In addition, the act further prohibits persons from threatening, coercing, intimidating, or interfering with anybody who is exercising a fair housing right or those who are assisting others persons exercising that right. It also disallows single-family housing or owner-occupied housing from advertising or verbalizing a limitation or a certain preference based on race, national origin, color, sex, religion, and familial status or handicap. These acts are considered illegal and a corresponding penalty could be imposed on persons violating the said provisions of the Fair Housing Act.

For persons with disabilities, the act provided an additional protection for them. Landlords are not allowed to refuse disabled persons in making reasonable modifications to the dwelling in terms of physical structure and house rules and policies that would aid him in his daily activities.

It is proper for everyone to be able to know and enforce their rights. The Fair Housing Act gave justice to persons who were objects of discrimination, and extended retribution to those who only wanted a place to call their own.

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