April is Fair Housing Month

April is National Fair Housing Month, a time we celebrate and educate about the importance fair housing has on the health and future of people and our communities.

The Fair Housing Act expands on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or marital status. The Fair Housing Act does not specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited bases.  However, discrimination against a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) person may be covered by the Fair Housing Act if it is based on non-conformity with gender stereotypes and there are several state and local laws that do prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and / or gender identity. It is illegal for anyone to threaten coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.

The Fahe Network is committed to fair housing practices.  Fair housing creates equal opportunity in communities and allows people to have access to neighborhoods which may provide healthier living, quality education, and economic opportunities. Every man, woman, and child has a right to live in a good environment without harassment or discrimination.

Though April is the month we celebrate Fair Housing, we should all make it our goal to uphold Fair Housing throughout the year to ensure that everyone has the chance to build the American Dream.

If you have experienced housing discrimination, you can file a report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_discrimination