April 2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act: a federal act developed with the intention of protecting the buyer or renter of a dwelling from seller or landlord discrimination. The FHA began as part of the Civil Rights movement’s efforts for racial justice. Today, the prohibitions specifically cover discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and the presence of children. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, “elderliness” has also been added as a protected category.

The National Association of REALTORS^® underscores the importance of the FHA, explaining “Where people live has a direct impact on the quality of their health, education, and access to economic opportunities. Discriminatory housing practices create racial and economic segregation in communities that can lead to disparate outcomes in overall quality of life. Fair housing supports the development racially and economically diverse communities.”

In celebration of the passing of this groundbreaking legislation, NAR is providing numerous resources including timelines, videos, and articles to give an in-depth look at the tumultuous journey leading up to the passage of the FHA on April 11, 1968.

Promoting fair housing for all homeowners and renters stands as a core commitment of all REALTORS^® . Click here to learn more about the Fair Housing Act.