The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. It covers sales, rentals, advertising, and mortgage lending. Complaints go to HUD or a federal court.
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.), commonly called the Fair Housing Act, makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental, financing, or advertising of housing on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability (physical or mental), or familial status (having children under 18). Prohibited practices include: refusing to rent or sell; misrepresenting availability; discriminating in terms or conditions; blockbusting (inducing owners to sell by claiming the neighbourhood is changing); steering (directing buyers/renters to areas based on protected characteristics); and discriminatory advertising. For disability: landlords must: allow reasonable modifications (tenant pays); make reasonable accommodations (e.g., reserved parking); and in newly built multi-family housing built after 1991, design for accessibility. Complaints: file with HUD (hud.gov) within 1 year of the discriminatory act, or file in federal or state court within 2 years. HUD investigates and attempts conciliation. If unsuccessful, HUD can refer to a federal administrative law judge or to the DOJ.
A property manager refuses to rent to a family with three children, saying the apartment is 'for adults only'. This is 'familial status' discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. The family files a complaint with HUD.
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