Fair Housing Act
For current information on the Fair Housing Act, click this link: Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) prohibits discrimination in housing, financing, and rentals based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. It applies to most housing, banning discriminatory advertising, steering, and refusal to rent or sell.
Key Aspects of the Fair Housing Act:
- Protected Classes: Covers race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status (including pregnant women and families with children under 18), and disability.
- Prohibited Actions: Refusing to rent/sell, lying about unit availability, setting different terms, or steering tenants to certain neighborhoods based on protected status
- Disability Rights: Mandates reasonable accommodations and modifications for people with disabilities, such as allowing service animals in "no-pet" buildings.
- Enforcement: Complaints can be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) within one year, or a lawsuit can be filed in federal court within two years.
- Exceptions: Limited exemptions exist, such as owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units or single-family housing sold without brokers.
Penalties:
Violators may face significant monetary penalties, including over $63,000 for a first violation and over $127,000 for subsequent violations.
Complaints:
Individuals who believe they have faced discrimination can submit a complaint via the HUD website.
Press Releases:
April
Friday, April 10, 2026
HUD Unveils More Than $1.1 Billion Investment for Affordable Housing Initiatives in Tribal Communities
March
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
HUD Launches Fair Housing Investigation into Washington State’s Covenant Homeownership Program