Legal Definitions - Fair Housing Act & Fair Housing Amendments Act

The Fair Housing Act and the fair housing amendments refer to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and later additions. This law prevents discrimination in the selling and renting of housing based on certain characteristics. Originally, it only applied to race, religion, and national origin. However, it was later amended to include sex, familial status, and disabilities.

For example, if a landlord refuses to rent an apartment to someone because they have a disability, that would be a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Similarly, if a real estate agent only shows houses in certain neighborhoods to people of a certain race, that would also be a violation.

The Fair Housing Act and its amendments are important because they help ensure that everyone has equal access to housing, regardless of their background or characteristics.