Fair Housing Act of 1968

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This provision applies to all housing providers, including property owners, landlords, and real estate agents. Any person found to be in violation of this article shall be liable for damages and subject to injunctive relief. The Act also provides for criminal penalties in cases of intentional discrimination.

The Fair Housing Act also prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, requiring housing providers to make reasonable accommodations and modifications to ensure equal access to housing. This includes providing wheelchair-accessible ramps, widening doorways, and adapting kitchens and bathrooms to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Housing providers must also permit individuals with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to their units at their own expense. The Act requires housing providers to pay for reasonable accommodations.

The Fair Housing Act applies to all types of housing, including single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes. It also applies to housing-related services, such as real estate brokerage services, property management services, and mortgage lending. The Act prohibits discriminatory advertising, including print and online advertisements that indicate a preference for or against certain groups of people. Any person who violates this article shall be subject to administrative and judicial enforcement.

The Fair Housing Act provides for administrative and judicial enforcement, including complaints filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and lawsuits filed in federal court. Any person who believes they have been discriminated against in violation of the Act may file a complaint with HUD, which will investigate and attempt to resolve the complaint through conciliation. If conciliation is unsuccessful, the complaint may be referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution.

The Fair Housing Act also provides for damages and other relief to individuals who have been discriminated against, including actual damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief. In addition, the Act provides for attorney's fees and costs to be awarded to prevailing plaintiffs. The Act also requires housing providers to maintain records of their housing-related activities, including rental applications, lease agreements, and mortgage loan applications. These records must be made available to HUD and the Department of Justice upon request.