Fair Housing Rights
Federal Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, financing, or advertising for available housing. This law protects you from any housing decisions or actions taken based on your race, color, national origin, sex, religion, having children, or a disability.
History
Congress passed the Fair Housing Act of 1968 the day after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Without the law, African Americans were regularly denied available housing or loans to buy homes.
Michigan State Law
All states have to follow the Federal Fair Housing Act. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1977, is the Michigan law that makes it illegal to discriminate in housing based on your age or marital status.
Protected Classes
Together, both laws prevent discrimination based on disability, race, sex, color, national origin, religion, family status, marital status, and age. The laws prevent discrimination is the sale, rental, financing, or advertising for available housing. But there are some specific rules for each protected class.
Discrimination
Learn about examples of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, having children, a disability, age, or marital status.
Fair Housing Cases
Included in this section are landmark cases related to the federally protected classes. This includes cases related to: Race, Religion, Color, Disability, Marital Status, Familial Status, and National Origin.