Federal Fair Housing Laws

Federal and state laws affect us all. The statutes listed below have withstood Constitutional tests. They do not reduce the right of free speech, nor do they legislate attitudes. What they do is protect one aspect of our freedom, by prescribing punishment for behaviors that violate our rights to exercise choice in where we live.

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 — States that "all citizens of the United States shall have the same right as is enjoyed by white citizens to inherit, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property.
Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act — (The Fair Housing Act) — Banned housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion and national origin in most housing transactions.
The Fair Housing Amendments Acts of 1988 — Added families with children and people with disabilities as protected classes and strengthened the enforcement mechanism. Section 818 under this law makes it unlawful to coerce, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise of fair housing rights.