April 9, 2014
In 1968, a federal law known as the Fair Housing Act was passed to prevent discrimination in housing. Every April, the FHA and HUD celebrate Fair Housing Month to remind borrowers, lenders, landlords and house hunters of the protections offered by the Fair Housing Act. A recent FHA/HUD press release announced the start of Fair Housing Month, stating:
“Each April, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses Fair Housing Month to mark the passage of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, the landmark law passed shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and family status. This year’s Fair Housing Month theme is “Fair Housing is Your Right: Use It!” Throughout the month, HUD will cast a spotlight on the persistent problem that exists in this country, as individuals and families continue to face both blatant and subtle forms of housing discrimination.”
The Fair Housing Act is more relevant than ever, as the country comes to terms with the need for equality in housing, employment, lending and other issues for same-sex couples. The FHA/HUD press release, HUDNo. 14-028, addresses this need. “In addition to the legal protections provided under the Fair Housing Act prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and family status, approximately 20 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 150 cities, towns and counties across the nation also prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families.”
“In 2012, HUD published new regulations to ensure that the Department’s core housing programs are open to all eligible persons, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, 12 states and the District of Columbia, as well as several counties and municipalities protect persons against housing discrimination based on their source of income.”
These are important protections–FHA borrowers should know their rights under the Fair Housing Act and current FHA/HUD policy.
Ignorance of these protections is no excuse when it comes to lenders, sellers, and landlords being required to comply with federal law and FHA/HUD policies where applicable. If you need assistance with Fair Housing Act issues or suspect a violation of Fair Housing Laws, contact the FHA/HUD directly at 1-800 CALL FHA for assistance.
Do you have questions about FHA home loans? Ask us in the comments section.
Joe Wallace has been specializing in military and personal finance topics since 1995. His work has appeared on Air Force Television News, The Pentagon Channel, ABC and a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year Air Force veteran and a member of the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association. He was Managing editor for www.valoans.com for (8) years and is currently the Associate Editor for FHANewsblog.com.
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