Fair Housing Act

Fair Housing Act (FHA) was passed by Congress in 1968. It is an effort to provide a solution to illegal discrimination in housing based on the seven protected classes.

Protected Classes

It is unlawful to discriminate in housing transactions because of:

• Color
• Disability
• Families with children under 18
• Gender
• National Origin
• Race
• Religion

If You Feel That You Have Experienced Housing Discrimination

As soon as possible, write down details from the incident including date, time, addresses, apartment/house numbers, names, physical descriptions and what happened.

Contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) 800-440-8091. The Hearing Impaired may call TTY 800-927-9275. File an administrative Fair Housing Complaint with HUD FHEO.

Other Housing Facts

• Most housing is covered by the FHA
• If someone is exercising their Fair Housing Rights, it is illegal to interfere, threaten, coerce or intimidate
• In buildings occupied after March 13, 1991, with four or more units, public use areas, and common spaces must be accessible to persons with disabilities
• Pregnant women are covered under the Families with Children protected class

Signs of Potential Housing Discrimination

The FHA makes it illegal for any of the activities below to occur based on someone being a member of a protected class:

• Conditions of availability change between when you call and when you visit in-person
• In the sale or rental of a dwelling, different terms, conditions or privileges. (examples: rent, deposit, use of facilities)
• Refusal to rent, sell or negotiate for housing
• Advertisements in a newspaper, a publication or signs that say "no children" or "adults only"
• Refusal to allow an accessibility modification to a dwelling or an accommodation to a policy for a person with a disability                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          For more information, please view our Fair Housing Brochure in English or Spanish, or call the Community Development office at (228) 938-6639.  You may also be interested in our Predatory Lending page.