Fair Housing Act Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Fair Housing Act?
The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability and familial status. The law was created in 1968 by the US Congress and is enforced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This act protects people from being denied housing or having their housing opportunities limited based on any of those protected characteristics. The primary purpose of the Fair Housing Act is to ensure equal access to housing for all Americans regardless of protected characteristics. The act prohibits discrimination in all aspects of renting or buying a home. This includes not only advertising but also screening potential tenants and refusing to rent based on protected characteristics. Additionally, it requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for disabled tenants and allows families with children to live in dwellings that are typically restricted to adults only. Another important component of this act is its enforcement measures. HUD investigates complaints alleging violations of civil rights laws including fair housing laws. If they find evidence that discrimination has occurred they can issue fines or sanctions against those responsible for such behavior. They can also refer cases to state or federal prosecution if necessary. The Fair Housing Act has been instrumental in promoting diversity within our communities by making sure everyone has an equal chance at finding suitable housing regardless of their background or identity markers. It provides protection from unfair practices while still allowing landlords some flexibility when it comes to tenant selection criteria such as credit score or rental history checks which are often used as proxies for discriminatory behavior towards certain groups even if not explicitly stated as such by the landlord/property manager/owner themselves. Additionally, it promotes more inclusive neighborhoods where everyone feels welcome regardless of their race, creed etc which helps foster a sense community among residents who may have previously felt marginalized due to prejudice against them solely due their identity markers rather than merit. Overall , the Fair Housing Act serves an important purpose in protecting individuals from being discriminated against when looking for somewhere safe and affordable place call home. By creating a level playing field , it ensures that everyone has access to decent , affordable housing without fear harassment intimidation based on who they are .