Fair Housing Act of 1968

Fair Housing Act of 1968
U.S. Government · Public domain · source
Shorttitle	Fair Housing Act
Longtitle	An Act to prescribe penalties for certain acts of violence or intimidation, and for other purposes
Enactedby	90th United States Congress
Citations	Pub.L. 90-284, 82 Stat. 73
Signeddate	April 11, 1968
Signedby	Lyndon B. Johnson

Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a landmark legislation in the United States that prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, and familial status. The Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, following the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the subsequent Civil Rights Movement. This legislation built upon the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and was influenced by the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Thurgood Marshall. The Act has been enforced by various agencies, including the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Justice, with support from organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Introduction

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a significant step towards addressing the issue of housing discrimination in the United States. The Act was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the work of prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Fannie Lou Hamer. The legislation was also shaped by the Kerner Commission, which was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the causes of the 1967 Detroit riot and other urban unrest. The Commission's report highlighted the need for fair housing policies to address the segregation and discrimination faced by African Americans and other minority groups in the United States. The Act has been recognized as a major achievement by Congressional Black Caucus members, including John Conyers and Shirley Chisholm, and has been supported by organizations such as the National Urban League and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Legislative History

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was passed by the 90th United States Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968. The legislation was introduced by Senator Walter Mondale and Representative Charles Mathias, and was supported by a coalition of civil rights organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The Act was also influenced by the work of Senator Edward Brooke, who was the first African American to be elected to the United States Senate since Reconstruction. The legislative process involved negotiations with Senator Everett Dirksen and Representative William McCulloch, and was shaped by the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the 1968 Republican National Convention. The Act has been recognized as a major achievement by Congressional Hispanic Caucus members, including Edward Roybal and Henry B. González, and has been supported by organizations such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the National Council of La Raza.

Provisions and Protections

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, and familial status. The Act also prohibits blockbusting and redlining, which are practices that involve discrimination against African Americans and other minority groups in the sale and financing of housing. The Act provides protections for people with disabilities and families with children, and prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise their rights under the Act. The Act has been enforced by various agencies, including the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Justice, with support from organizations such as the National Organization on Disability and the American Association of People with Disabilities. The Act has also been recognized as a model for fair housing policies by international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union.

Enforcement and Implementation

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is enforced by various agencies, including the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Justice. The Act also provides for private enforcement by individuals who have been victims of discrimination. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination and for providing technical assistance to housing providers and local governments. The United States Department of Justice is responsible for prosecuting cases of discrimination and for providing guidance on the interpretation and enforcement of the Act. The Act has been supported by organizations such as the National Fair Housing Alliance and the Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley, and has been recognized as a major achievement by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Attorney General Eric Holder.

Impact and Legacy

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 has had a significant impact on the housing market in the United States. The Act has helped to reduce segregation and discrimination in housing, and has provided protections for African Americans and other minority groups. The Act has also helped to increase access to housing for people with disabilities and families with children. The Act has been recognized as a major achievement by President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden, and has been supported by organizations such as the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association. The Act has also been recognized as a model for fair housing policies by international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union, and has been influential in shaping the housing policies of countries such as Canada and Australia.

Amendments and Updates

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 has been amended and updated several times since its passage. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 added people with disabilities and families with children as protected classes under the Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 also provided additional protections for people with disabilities in housing. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 provided additional protections for homeowners and homebuyers in the United States. The Act has been recognized as a major achievement by Senator Chris Dodd and Representative Barney Frank, and has been supported by organizations such as the National Consumer Law Center and the Center for Responsible Lending. The Act continues to be an important part of the civil rights landscape in the United States, and remains a critical tool for addressing discrimination and segregation in housing. Category:United States federal housing legislation