Fair Housing Law
A Brief History on Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act of 1968, which is often referred to as the Civil Rights Act of 1968, was a landmark piece of legislation passed by Congress in response to the urgent need for civil rights protections following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. This important Act serves to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for individuals in various housing-related activities. Specifically, it prohibits discriminatory practices based on a set of protected classes, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. As a result, individuals have the right to rent or buy a home, secure a mortgage, seek housing assistance, and participate in other housing-related transactions without fear of unfair treatment or bias.
In the state of California, additional protections against housing discrimination are provided through the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Unruh Civil Rights Act, both of which were enacted in 1959. These laws aim to extend civil rights protections within the housing sector at the state level, recognizing the need for comprehensive safeguards against discrimination. California law prohibits housing providers from engaging in unlawful discrimination against individuals based on an extensive list of protected classes. This includes not only the federal categories such as race, color, ancestry, and national origin, but also additional aspects like primary language, age, religion, mental or physical disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, familial status, source of income, and military or veteran status.
These laws reflect California’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable housing environment, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to secure housing without discrimination. Through these comprehensive protections, the state aims to promote fair housing practices and uphold the dignity and civil rights of every resident.
The Housing Division of the City of Soledad is dedicated to partnering with HUD-certified counseling agencies to foster understanding and awareness of housing discrimination. We believe that everyone deserves access to fair housing and equal opportunities. Together, we aim to provide vital educational resources that empower our community and support individuals in their housing journeys.
Fair Housing Resources:
ECHO Housing conducts educational trainings and workshops to inform the public, especially landlords and tenants, about Fair Housing and state housing laws. Their services include: Fair Housing counseling and investigation; tenant/landlord counseling and mediation; Home Buyer Education and counseling. Click here to Register or View Upcoming Webinars & Events
To contact ECHO Housing regarding referrals or questions, please call: 855-ASK-ECHO or 510-581-9380.
The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) works to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities by leading the nation in the enforcement, administration, development, and public understanding of federal fair housing policies and laws. Website: https://www.hud.gov/states/california
To report housing discrimination, please call: 1-800-669-9777 or TTY 1-800-927-9275 or Submit a Complaint Online.
The Civil Rights Department of the State of California is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate because of protected class. Website: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/housing/
To contact the State of California, Civil Rights Department for questions or to file complaints, please call: 800-884-1684 or 800-700-2230 (TTY) or Submit a Complaint Online.
