April is Fair Housing Month

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) became law in April 1968, as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (CRA). President Johnson made it official on April 11, one week after the assassination of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for equality in housing.

The FHA was considered landmark legislation, prohibiting many types of discriminatory acts regarding the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, and national origin. The FHA has since been amended to add sex, disability, and familial status to the list of protected classes, as well as to strengthen the law’s enforcement mechanism.

Since 1968, April has come to be regarded as a time to remember the FHA and reflect on the rights it gives citizens. April 2010 marks the forty-second anniversary of the enactment of this important act and in recognition and observance of this event Governor Manchin has proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in West Virginia. Implementation of the Fair Housing Policy of West Virginia requires positive commitment, involvement and support of each and every one of our citizens.

To learn more about Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for all visit the US Department of Housing and Urban Development or download these brochures about fair housing and how to recognize housing discrimination.