A federal fair-housing law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, ethnicity, religion and other factors, like gender identity and disability. That applies to any number of scenarios: a homeowner refusing to negotiate a sale; a landlord failing to make repairs; a mortgage lender denying a loan.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968, days after the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The law, initially focused on racial discrimination, was the linchpin of the broader Civil Rights Act of 1968 and was later expanded to include other factors.
If I believe I’ve been discriminated against, what should I do?
There are two entities you can contact: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and your state or local fair housing organization. All states are required to comply with the federal Fair Housing Act, and most states have their own fair housing laws as well.
Many states and cities also work with local nonprofits and civil rights groups that take fair housing complaints and can help those in need connect with legal counsel. In 2022, there were more than 33,000 fair housing complaints received by organizations across the country.
