What is the Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act is a civil rights law pertaining to housing in California. It was signed into law in 1968, and enforced by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. In California, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) enforces the Fair Housing Act, or “housing legislation”. The DFEH is mandated in California to investigate alleged violations of state and federal laws, including those pertaining to housing discrimination. The Department is also responsible for the promotion of fair housing practices, the development of educational programs to prevent housing discrimination, and the outreach to assure the public of their access to fair housing. The purpose of the Fair Housing Act is to ensure that people of all backgrounds are able to find and secure housing without facing discrimination. The Act works to guarantee that all people have access to housing regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. It also ensures that individuals can’t be denied housing simply because they have children or because of their marital status. Everyone deserves the right to find and secure housing, and the Fair Housing Act gives the protections necessary for this to happen.

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What is the Fair Housing Act?

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