The Fair Housing Act has helped strengthen families, communities, businesses and our overall economy by creating diverse neighborhoods where families can enjoy equal opportunities in regards to schools, jobs, recreations. Although the Fair Housing Act was intended to eliminate housing discrimination, the National Fair Housing Alliance still reports instances of housing discrimination today. In fact, there were 31,202 reports in 2018. Surprisingly, they have also reported increases in both reports and housing-related hate crimes in recent years.

Why is Fair Housing Important?

The following actions are prohibited by Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Federal Fair Housing Act) if based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status (families with children), or handicap (disability) - and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act adds the additional protected classes of age, ancestry and use of guide or support animals because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because of the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals – and are considered discriminatory:

Refusing to sell or rent to, deal or negotiate with any person.
Discriminating on terms or conditions for buying or renting housing.
Discriminating by advertising that housing is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, handicap (disability), age, ancestry or with no animals.
Denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rent when it really is available.
Blockbusting-for-profit, persuading owners to sell or rent housing by telling them that minority groups are moving into the neighborhood.
Denying or making different terms or conditions for home loans by financial institutions.
Denying to anyone the use or participation in any real estate services, multiple listing services or other facilities related to selling and renting of housing.

What is Housing Discrimination?

The Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson as the Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act on April 11, 1968. The purpose was to help bring an end to housing discrimination by eliminating housing segregation. The act guarantees equal housing opportunities for all by making it illegal to discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, family status or disability for those renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities.

What is Fair Housing?

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