Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Orin Hatch(R-UT) introduced a bipartisan bill, Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2018 to add protection for Veterans and Low-Income Families from housing discrimination.
Category: Fair Housing in US
2018, 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
The FHA has continued to receive a broad and expansive interpretation of its protections by the courts throughout 50 years of existence.
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2018, 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
2017-2018, Immigration Policies
The FHA protects community members regardless of alienage based on the seven protected classes. Immigration policies toward migrants, asylum seekers, non-citizens, DACA community members, and people affected by the Muslim Ban have created a discriminatory and hostile environment toward community members based on national origin and religion in our communities.
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2017-2018, Immigration Policies
April 4, 2016, Criminal Background Guidance
HUD’s Office of General Counsel issues criminal background guidance concerning how the Fair Housing Act applies to the use of criminal history by providers or operators of housing and real-estate related transactions. Specifically, this guidance addresses how the discriminatory effects and disparate treatment methods of proof apply in Fair Housing..Read More
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April 4, 2016, Criminal Background Guidance
June 26, 2015, Same Sex Marriage
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that states must license and recognize same-sex marriages. Consequently, same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands.
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June 26, 2015, Same Sex Marriage
June 25, 2015, Disparate Impact
Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project. In Texas the Supreme Court upheld the government’s obligation to affirmatively further fair housing when policies result in disparate impacts. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision written by Justice Kennedy, upheld the disparate impact doctrine under the Fair..Read More
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June 25, 2015, Disparate Impact
November 28, 2014, Improving Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
USDA, “Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding the Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Persons with Limited English Proficiency,” 79 Fed. Reg. 70,771. Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP),” the guidance clarifies the obligations of entities that receive federal financial assistance from..Read More
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November 28, 2014, Improving Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
February 3, 2012, Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportu- nity issued a regulation to prohibit LGBT discrimination in federally-assisted housing programs. The new regulations ensure that the Department’s core housing programs are open to all eligible persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender..Read More
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February 3, 2012, Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
2009, Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act
In 2009 hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity are included as punishable by federal law.
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2009, Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act
August 10, 2009, Anti-Segregation Settlement
U.S. ex rel. Anti-Discrimination Center v. Westchester County. The importance of local and state government fair housing compliance was made evident with a landmark $62.5 million settlement. Westchester promised to integrate the predominantly White Westchester County and failed to do so while certifying it was while receiving HUD and other..Read More
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August 10, 2009, Anti-Segregation Settlement
September 25, 2008, The ADA Amendments Act
Signed into law by President George W. Bush, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act clarified and broadened the term “disability.”
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September 25, 2008, The ADA Amendments Act
December 5, 2008, The Future of Fair Housing Report
The National Commission on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity issues a fair housing report. Chaired by Henry Cisneros and Jack Kemp, the commission issued “The Future of Fair Housing” report, which detailed the findings of a national, bipartisan fair housing commission to investigate the state of housing discrimination and segregation..Read More
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December 5, 2008, The Future of Fair Housing Report
Jan. 22, 2007, HUD Guidance: Limited English Proficiency
Department of Housing and Urban Development issued guidance for making sure people who are Limited English Proficient have access to critical housing services. “Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons,” 72 Fed. Reg. 2732.
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Jan. 22, 2007, HUD Guidance: Limited English Proficiency
June 22, 1999, Unjust Segregation
Olmstead v. L.C. The Olmstead case was brought by two women with disabilities who were institutionalized and denied access to housing in the community.
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June 22, 1999, Unjust Segregation
1994 to Present, Intermountain Fair Housing Council
Since 1994 IFHC has filed more than 168 design and construction complaints, likely the main factor in motivating the Idaho legislature to incorporate the International Building Code requirements into the statewide building code to ensure that new covered multi-family housing complies with the FHA’s design and construction requirements.
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1994 to Present, Intermountain Fair Housing Council
July 26, 1990, Americans With Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12101) is signed into law by President George H. W. Bush.
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July 26, 1990, Americans With Disabilities Act
September 13, 1988, The Fair Housing Amendments Act
Under President Reagan, the amendment extends protection to families with children (familial status) and to persons with physical and mental disabilities and endowed the law with powerful enforcement mechanisms.
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September 13, 1988, The Fair Housing Amendments Act
January 5, 1988, The National Fair Housing Alliance
Founded and headquartered in Washington DC, the NFHA is the only national organization dedicated solely to ending discrimination in housing.
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January 5, 1988, The National Fair Housing Alliance
January 1, 1987, Segregation in Yonkers
U.S. v. Yonkers (2nd Cir.) A landmark decision simultaneously finding that Yonkers and Yonkers Public Schools intentionally segregated housing and schools, based on race, for 40 years. This case was unique because it merged housing and school desegreg- ation claims on the assumption that housing segregation is at the core..Read More
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January 1, 1987, Segregation in Yonkers
January 1, 1985, Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Shellhammer v. Lewallen (6th Circ.) Shellhammer was the first federal case to hold that sexual harassment in housing violates the FHA. The owner of the tenant’s building asked her to pose for nude photos. When she refused, she and her husband were evicted. The district court found the eviction was..Read More
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January 1, 1985, Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
February 24, 1982, Standing for Fair Housing Organizations
Havens Realty Corp. v. Coleman. This case was brought by a group of complainants, including a prospective renter, two testers, and a fair housing organization. This landmark Supreme Court decision provided standing to both testers and fair housing organizations, and ultimately leading to the re-invigorations/formation of scores of private groups…Read More
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February 24, 1982, Standing for Fair Housing Organizations
April 20, 1976, First Public Housing Desegregation Lawsuit in the U.S.
Hills v. Gautreaux. The Supreme Court ruled HUD can be ordered to adopt a housing assistance plan that ignores municipal boundaries. After knowingly funding the Chicago Housing Authority’s racially discriminatory housing program, HUD was ordered to alleviate the effects of these past practices by developing public housing in desegregated neighborhoods…Read More
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April 20, 1976, First Public Housing Desegregation Lawsuit in the U.S.
August 22, 1974, Sex as a Protected Class
Sex is added as a protected status to the Fair Housing Act.
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August 22, 1974, Sex as a Protected Class
September 26, 1973, Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance and set the stage for enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.