April 2021 National Fair Housing Month

The Fair Housing Act

This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. This landmark legislation was signed into law on April 11, 1968, by President Lyndon B. Johnson.  The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and family status.

Did you know?

Housing discrimination comes in many forms and is often subtle. Some signs of possible discrimination include:

• A refusal to sell, rent, or show available housing
• Being told that the dwelling isn’t right for you or your family
• Being told that housing isn’t available in an apartment with a “For Rent” sign
• Housing advertisements that say “no kids” or “adults only”
• A refusal to make a reasonable accommodation or allow a modification for persons with disabilities
• Being steered to racially segregated neighborhoods
• Excessive or inappropriate questioning upon requesting information about a dwelling

Fair Housing and COVID-19

People who currently have COVID-19, those who have a history of having the virus, and those who are perceived as having the virus may be protected against housing discrimination under long-standing interpretations of the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws.

Persons with COVID-19 may be regarded as having a disability just as persons with other communicable diseases have been regarded as having a mental or physical impairment that qualifies as having a disability under the Fair Housing Act.

HOW TO FILE A FAIR HOUSING COMPLAINT

If you believe that you have experienced housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or family status, with HUD.  When submitting a complaint, please provide as much information as possible,such as:

• Your full, legal name, mailing address, email and phone number.
• The name and address of the person(s) or organization your complaint is filed against;
• The property address where the alleged FHA violation occurred;
• A short description outlining the detail(s) that led you to believe your rights were violated.
• Be sure to include dates, times, and if any other persons were present.

Persons who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may file a complaint of discrimination by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Oppourtunity at (800) 669-9777 or visiting How to File a Complaint on HUD'S Website.  

Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the Department using the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.