The Origin of Fair Housing Laws
In spring of 1968, the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders issued what is referred to as the Kerner Report. This was done to gain insight into the growing number of civil disturbances, and unrest that had been taking place and not only California but the entire country. This report provided the insight needed for Congress to create what is called the Fair Housing Act of 1969.
The Fair Housing Laws were created to ensure that all citizens regardless of race, religion, familial status, national origin or age would be discriminated against when it came to their finding a safe, and secure place to live. Prior to the inception of the Fair Housing Act of 1969 and the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 citizens could be turned down when looking for a place to live simply because of the color of their skin, religion, age, or sex. This discrimination led to a wide divide in where and how people of difference races and nationalities lived.
How do the Fair Housing Laws Protect Tenants
The Fair Housing Act of 1969 and the Federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 were developed to protect both tenants and home buyers from being discriminated against for issues such as their race, sex, age or religion. Prior to the creation of the Fair Housing Act of 1969 and the Federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 the civil unrest and disturbances that people were experiencing was leading the country to what was referred to in the Kerner Report as “moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal,”. Today, 48 years after the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders issued the Kerner Report and 47 years since the initial creation of the Fair Housing Act of 1969 these laws are still prevalent and enforced in American Society.
For tenants specifically, the Fair Housing Laws provide protection from having potential or current landlords discriminate against them because of their religion, age, mental or physical disability, sex, or the color of their skin. This means that any treatment deemed unfair, any inappropriate comments, or any inappropriate treatment surrounding the landlord/tenant relationship that is taking place because of these topics are illegal, and the landlord can be charged for it. An example of this would be if a potential landlord turned down an ideal tenant application after finding out the color of the applicant’s skin.
Fair Housing Laws in 2016
Although society has come a long way since the Fair Housing Act was first established in 1969 and the Federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 to place, the importance of these laws are as relevant today, as ever. An example of their relevance today would be if a couple put an offer in on a house through a private sale, if they were to meet all requirements for financing, and offered above listing price, yet were turned down because of their obvious religious beliefs.
Information regarding the Fair Housing Laws is important to have, regardless of your race, religion, sex, age, or your physical or mental capacity. These laws were passed to ensure that homeowners and tenants’ rights would be protected and preserved over time.