Fair Housing
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing laws, created by the U.S. government, prohibit discriminatory housing rental and sales practices based on “protected classes.” The Fair Housing Act, part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, was created to prevent discrimination, which was widespread at the time. The protected classes, according to the Fair Housing laws, are: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability and familial status.
Click here to view the Federal Fair Housing Act laws.
According to the Act (and the HUD web site), no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status:
• Refuse to rent or sell housing.
• Refuse to negotiate for housing.
• Make housing unavailable.
• Deny a dwelling.
• Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling.
• Provide different housing services or facilities.
• Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental.
• For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting).
• Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.
In addition, it is illegal for anyone to:
• Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.
• Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.
Download the Equal Opportunity Housing logos from HUD here.
In addition to the federal protected classes, state and local fair housing laws may designate additional protected classes. Oklahoma added the additional protection for age, and the City of Tulsa has added ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity as additional protected classes.
Click here to download the Fair Housing: A Comparative Guide from the City of Tulsa Mayor’s Office for Human Rights (published 2015).
The Tulsa Apartment Association is committed to providing education for it's members to ensure understanding of Fair Housing laws. All TAA members have access to a free fair housing training each year in April - Fair Housing month. Additional Fair Housing training is available for members, email us at info@taaonline.org if you are interested.
ADDITIONAL FAIR HOUSING RESOURCES:
Tulsa Area Fair Housing Partnership
The purpose of the Tulsa Area Fair Housing Partnership is to further the mission of raising awareness of the right to equal opportunity in housing for all people. Through the promotion & coordination of activities, and educational & informational events, the partnership raises awareness of the right to equal opportunity in housing. The Tulsa Apartment Association is a member of the Tulsa Area Fair Housing Partnership.
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is an initiative designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements. The program offers comprehensive and detailed instruction programs, useful online web resources, and a toll-free information line for technical guidance and support.
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST has been contracted by HUD to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to all relevant stakeholders about the accessibility design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act as amended in 1988. However, Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is not responsible for enforcement of the Fair Housing Act. The information, materials, and technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance and are neither a determination of legal responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the Fair Housing Act.
Their instruction modules include general information, as well as more specific technical information regarding design and construction requirements, building strategies, various disability rights laws, and enforcement.
Check out their upcoming FIRST training events and conferences around the U.S.
www.fairhousingfirst.org