What Is Fair Housing?

Fair housing protects people from discrimination when they seek to rent or buy a home, obtain a mortgage or engage in other housing-related activities. Fair housing also refers to the right of a person to exercise their fair housing rights free from retaliation.

Fair housing also compels certain affirmative requirements by property owners and managers. One affirmative requirement is to grant persons with disabilities reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications. Another affirmative requirement is that certain new multi-family dwelling units be accessible to disabled persons.

An additional affirmative requirement is that programs and activities receiving HUD funding be administered in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing.

Housing Discrimination Examples

Discrimination is rarely this obvious:

      “This property is adult only. We don’t rent to families with children.”

More often, people cover up discrimination by saying things like:

 "This apartment isn’t big enough for your family.”

 "We’ve taken the house off the market.”

 "Sweetie, the unit I told you about on the phone has just been rented.”

 “The owner said you can't have grab bars in the bathroom because they cause water leaks.”

 "We cannot give you a designated parking space even though you use a wheelchair. If  we give you one,  everyone will ask for one.”

 “The ad is wrong. The rent is $100 higher.”

 "We are not renewing your lease.”

 “The owner does not rent to anyone with a felony.”

 “I’ve had too many problems renting to people with mental disabilities.”