President Johnson Signs Fair Housing Act (1968)
On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA followed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and granted additional rights and protections to individuals involved in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.
The FHA of 1968 prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin. The FHA was later amended to prohibit discrimination based on sex, the handicapped, and families with children.
Certain types of acts became illegal under the FHA, such as social steering and redlining. Social steering is a form of discrimination that occurs when real estate companies (e.g. real estate agents), housing authorities, or governments "steer" (e.g. persuade) certain types of people, like minorities, to live in certain parts of a city. Redlining occurs when companies or government agencies deny financial support and services to individuals or neighborhoods based on race, economic status, or ethnicity.
The FHA, however, does not protect buyers and tenants from all forms of discrimination. For example, landlords can select tenants based on objective criteria, such as the applicant’s ability to pay rent, employment status, and ability to take care of the property. Also, as of last check, federal laws do not protect individuals based on sexual orientation or gender (but protections may exist through state or local laws).
According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, the largest non-profit fair housing organization in the U.S., there are approximately 4 million cases of discrimination each year (excluding a few less reported types of discrimination). But the FHA has given individuals an outlet to stand up for their right to find the best housing available.
President Johnson made history when he signed the Fair Housing Act into law on April 11, 1968, and it has helped to form the basis in providing individuals better opportunities to find appropriate housing accommodations.