Every April is celebrated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as fair housing month, as a nod to the April 11, 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act – which turns 45 years old this month!

The Fair Housing Act is an extension of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and it seeks to protect home buyers/renters from being discriminated against on the basis of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, parental status, creed or gender identity. HUD has produced several videos that show the stories of three people who faced housing discrimination and the success they had with bringing justice to the situation. While this legislation started in the 1960s, today we still see cases of discrimination by landlords, real estate agents and property management companies.

Here at Calvary, access to housing is always on the minds of clients and staff. Having a safe, comfortable, accessible and welcoming home is a basic need of all people, and its importance is not lost on those who have spent time in their lives without it. No one should have to fight extra barriers for this basic dignity, but when it happens, it’s good to know that there are laws protecting our rights.

If you feel that you have been discriminated against in a home buying or renting situation, you can file an online complaint here.