Fair Housing Commitment

On April 11, 1968, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. With Title VIII of this Act, commonly referred to as the Fair Housing Law, Congress declared a national policy of providing fair housing throughout the United States. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:Race or Color

• National Origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Familial Status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under the age of 18) 
• Handicap ​​

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In the sale and rental of housing, no one may discriminate by taking any of the following actions:

• Refusing to rent or sell housing
• Refusing to negotiate housing
• Making housing unavailable
• Denying a dwelling
• Setting different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
• Providing different housing services or facilities -
• Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental
• For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting)
• Denying anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing

If you do not currently have a policy to ensure the objective and non-discriminatory selection of families, you should consider developing one. Such a policy will be to your advantage because, in promoting fair housing, you will minimize your exposure to unfounded housing discrimination complaints. After all, fair housing is a right afforded to all persons seeking housing, whether they are Housing Choice Program participants or private market renters. It is your obligation as a landlord to comply with the law that guarantees this right.