Title VIII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act, commonly known as the "Fair Housing Act," prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, purchase, leasing, financing and/or advertising of housing based upon:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex (including sexual harassment)
- National origin
- Familial status
- Disability
*Familial status protects children under the age of 18 living with parent or guardian and pregnant women.
President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill into law on April 11, 1968 - seven days after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act also prohibits housing discrimination based on age and marital status. Further restrictions may also be imposed by municipalities pursuant to local ordinance.
Fair housing is not just an important tool for eliminating discrimination; it also helps to strengthen families, communities, businesses, and our overall economy. Fulfillment of the letter and spirit of the law means that every community can be a place of opportunity where people can live in diverse, inclusive, accessible neighborhoods with quality schools, healthy foods, meaningful jobs, health care, green spaces, quality credit, and the other opportunities that frame and affect our lives.(Source: National Fair Housing Alliance)
Click here to view more information on your rights under the Fair Housing Act.
