This special month was established in 1988 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to commemorate the adoption of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, which outlawed discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Each April, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) facilitates activities that commemorate this important milestone in American history.
During Fair Housing Month, NFHA engages individuals and organizations in activities that raise public awareness of the civil rights legacy of the Fair Housing Act and how discrimination persists in the housing market today. The campaign promotes knowledge, vigilance, and education about the law and its implications. It also provides information about HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, which enforces the Fair Housing Act.
The primary focus of Fair Housing Month is to make the public aware that discrimination still exists and that it has continued to erode our civil rights and damage our communities. Discriminatory practices have resulted in the exclusion of certain groups of people from equal access to housing, causing immeasurable harm to their economic, health, and educational opportunities. Hundreds of thousands of people are victims of housing discrimination every year, including both tenants and potential home buyers.
NFHA encourages everyone to participate in Fair Housing Month activities. Some examples of activities include hosting informational sessions, attending events, and sharing information about fair housing rights with family and friends. The organization also provides resources and materials, including brochures, flyers, and posters, to help spread awareness. Additionally, NFHA offers online tools and trainings to equip individuals with the knowledge to protect their civil rights.
Fair Housing Month is an annual reminder of the importance of protecting and enforcing the civil rights of all individuals. Its observance provides an opportunity to learn more about the continued need for fair housing and to take action against discrimination. With this understanding, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone has equal access to quality housing.
April is Fair Housing Month, an important observance commemorating the adoption of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. This act outlawed discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. To bring attention to the civil rights legacy of the Fair Housing Act, as well as the ongoing discrimination in the housing market, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) facilitates activities each April to raise public awareness.
During Fair Housing Month, individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in activities such as hosting informational sessions, attending events, and sharing information about fair housing rights with family and friends. The NFHA provides resources and materials to help spread awareness, in addition to online tools and trainings to equip individuals to protect their civil rights.
These initiatives serve to remind us of the importance of protecting and enforcing the civil rights of all individuals. Through public awareness and action against discrimination, we can strive to achieve equal access to quality housing for everyone. In this way, we can create an inclusive society that values diversity and respects the rights of all people.
This article was contributed on Oct 22, 2023
