Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on:
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National Origin
The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, which became effective March 12, 1989, expands the coverage of Title VIII to:
- Prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of:
- Disability
- Familial Status
- Strengthen the administrative enforcement provisions of Title VIII.
- Provide for the award of monetary damages where discriminatory housing practices are found.
The following actions are considered to be discriminatory under the Fair Housing Law:
- Refusing to sell, rent, deal, or negotiate with any person.
- Discriminating in terms or conditions for buying or renting.
- Advertising that housing is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or of a specific family size.
- Denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rent when it really is available.
- “Blockbusting” – persuading owners to sell or rent housing by telling them that minority groups are moving into the neighborhood.
- Denying or making different terms or conditions for home loans by commercial lenders, such as banks, savings and loans, and insurance companies.
- Denying to anyone the use of or participation in any real estate services, such as broker organizations, multiple-listing services or other facilities related to the selling and renting of housing.
- Refusing to allow reasonable accommodation to be made for a person with disabilities.