Becoming A Fair Housing Law Advocate: A Guide

Fair housing laws are designed to protect minorities from discrimination and ensure equal housing opportunities for all. Despite legislation such as the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, national origin, disability status, and other protected characteristics, unfair practices persist. To combat this, individuals can become fair housing advocates by educating themselves and others on fair housing requirements, conducting fair housing testing, and advocating for better laws and regulations. This involves working with local organizations and government agencies to report and address discriminatory practices, as well as promoting integration, equality, and inclusivity within communities.

Know your rights and responsibilities under local, state and federal fair housing laws

To become a fair housing advocate, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities under local, state, and federal fair housing laws. Here is some detailed information on the topic:

The Fair Housing Act, enacted in 1968, prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, including against individuals seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities. This applies to direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies, as well as other entities like municipalities, banks, and insurance companies. The protected characteristics under the Act include race, colour, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability.

At the federal level, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces fair housing laws through its Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). FHEO investigates complaints of housing discrimination and individuals can file a complaint with them if they believe their rights have been violated.

In addition to federal laws, there are also local and state laws and regulations that pertain to fair housing. These may vary depending on your location, so it is important to familiarise yourself with the specific laws in your area. Local and state laws may provide additional protections or specify certain requirements for housing providers to ensure equal housing opportunities.

As a fair housing advocate, it is your responsibility to know and understand these laws and regulations to effectively support individuals who may be facing housing discrimination. This includes staying informed about any updates or changes to the laws and being aware of local and state enforcement agencies or organisations that handle fair housing complaints.

Additionally, it is important to know your rights as a housing advocate, including your right to report housing discrimination, your right to access information and resources about fair housing laws, and your right to participate in community events and initiatives that promote fair housing. By knowing your rights and responsibilities, you can effectively advocate for fair housing and support individuals who may be facing housing discrimination.

Understand the history of discrimination and segregation

To become a fair housing law advocate, it is important to understand the history of discrimination and segregation in housing. This knowledge will enable you to identify the changes needed to build a more inclusive and equitable future and ensure equal housing opportunities for all. Here is a detailed overview of the history of discrimination and segregation:

The history of discrimination and segregation in housing is a dark chapter in America's past, with systemic racism denying people of color, particularly Black individuals, the opportunity to build a better life. This historical context is essential for comprehending the persistent racial disparities in education, employment, health, and wealth in the United States.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), established in 1934, played a significant role in perpetuating segregation. The FHA refused to insure mortgages in or near African-American neighborhoods, a practice known as "redlining." Simultaneously, the FHA subsidized builders who mass-produced subdivisions exclusively for whites, enforcing segregation through racially restrictive covenants. These covenants, often buried in property deeds, prohibited the sale or resale of homes to people of color, ensuring that the utopian suburban life remained largely exclusive to white families.

During the Great Depression, the FHA also lent money to banks to bolster the construction industry, but these loans overwhelmingly benefited white, middle- to upper-class families. Loans were made in predominantly white communities, reinforcing the notion of "safe" neighborhoods, while integrated or majority-Black areas were deemed risky. This further marginalized Black families and restricted their access to affordable housing.

The practice of redlining extended beyond the FHA. Color-coded maps developed by the federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation identified areas with significant populations of color as unsafe for lending, and private lenders across the country followed suit, refusing to provide loans to households of color.

The consequences of these discriminatory policies were far-reaching. Between 1934 and 1962, households of color received only 2% of all government-backed mortgages, severely impacting their economic mobility and ability to build wealth through homeownership. Meanwhile, white families gained a foothold in the middle class, benefiting from low-down-payment homes and stable communities.

The passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968 marked a turning point, prohibiting racially restrictive covenants and mandating the federal government to actively dismantle segregation. However, discriminatory practices persisted, with communities adopting new zoning rules that effectively maintained racial segregation by requiring large lot and home sizes, driving up prices and excluding lower-cost housing options.

Despite legal prohibitions, the history of racial discrimination in housing continued to evolve, with exclusionary zoning becoming a prevalent issue. Predatory lending practices and a lack of adequate housing reform in the late 20th century further disadvantaged Black Americans, contributing to the persistent racial parity in housing and widening inequalities.

Understanding this history is crucial for fair housing law advocates to address systemic inequalities and ensure that everyone has equal access to safe, affordable housing, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income.

Learn to identify discrimination and report it

Discrimination in housing is illegal and can take many forms. It is important to be able to identify discrimination and report it to a fair housing organization or government enforcement agency.

Housing discrimination can occur when renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. It can be based on race, colour, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. For example, a landlord refusing to rent to someone because of their race or a bank imposing different loan terms based on national origin would be considered housing discrimination. It's important to know your rights and responsibilities under local, state, and federal fair housing laws to identify these types of discrimination.

Additionally, discrimination is not always obvious and can be subtle or indirect. For instance, a landlord may seem eager to rent to someone over the phone but change their attitude upon meeting the prospective tenant in person and then deny their application, citing a false reason. Steering, or directing someone to a certain neighbourhood or property based on their race or other protected characteristics, is also a form of discrimination. Harassment, such as sexual harassment by a landlord, is another form of housing discrimination. Familiarising yourself with the various forms of discrimination will help you identify and report it effectively.

If you suspect or experience housing discrimination, you can report it to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or a local fair housing organisation. They will investigate the complaint and determine if discrimination has occurred. It is important to gather as much information as possible to support your claim, such as documenting any interactions, saving relevant communications, and seeking statements from witnesses. You can also seek guidance from these organisations before filing a report to understand the process and your rights. By reporting housing discrimination, you are playing a crucial role in upholding fair housing laws and creating more inclusive communities.

Support proposed fair housing policies and programs

• Speak with your local fair housing organization to find out ways you can be involved in these efforts. They will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information on any proposed policies or programs and guide you on how to help.
• Get involved in fundraising benefits for your local fair housing organization. These programs rely on the support of the community to sustain their operations and continue their work.
• Write letters to the editor or op-eds in support of fair housing issues. This is an effective way to express your views and concerns and make them known to a wider audience. Reach out to your local newspapers and media outlets to learn about their guidelines for submitting such content.
• Stay informed about fair housing events and issues in your region. Follow organizations like the FHJC on social media and sign up for their newsletters to keep up with upcoming events, conferences, legal actions, and policy issues. Being informed will enable you to better advocate for and support relevant policies and programs.
• Volunteer at your local fair housing or civil rights organization. These organizations often require volunteers for various tasks, such as event planning, fundraising, research, and presentations. This is a great way to contribute to their work while also learning about current fair housing issues.
• Register to vote and encourage others to do the same. It is important to support candidates who prioritize fair housing and are committed to enforcing fair housing laws, embracing policies that expand housing choices, and promoting equitable community development. Contact your elected representatives and express your support for fair housing as a priority issue.

Advocate for integrated and equitable schools

Educational equality and fair housing are closely linked. Integrated and equitable schools can promote housing integration, and housing integration can lead to more integrated schools. Here are some ways to advocate for integrated and equitable schools:

• Get Involved in Your Local School Board: Find out who your elected representatives are and how to contact them. Attend candidate forums, voice your concerns, and write letters to let them know that you prioritize fair housing and integrated, equitable schools.
• Speak Out Against Segregation: Use your voice to condemn acts of segregation, bigotry, and intolerance of any kind. Insist that your community remains open and welcoming to all.
• Promote Multiculturalism and Diversity: Advocate for schools that foster a strong sense of cultural awareness and appreciation among students. Encourage the inclusion of multicultural and female experts, writers, and artists in the curriculum.
• Address Race and Gender Barriers: Be mindful of excluding students of color and female students in the classroom. Avoid asking students of color to be "experts" on their race, and hold every student to high expectations regardless of their gender.
• Create an Inclusive Environment: Establish an inclusive environment in the classroom where discussions represent a variety of views, and students feel comfortable expressing themselves. Set clear rules that name-calling, personal attacks, and hostile interactions will not be tolerated.
• Accommodate Different Learning Styles: Be mindful of different learning styles and disabilities when designing lessons. Present information in different ways, use a variety of media, and make technology accessible for all students.
• Promote Anti-Racist Education: Teachers should be aware of their own cultural assumptions and biases and work on their racial literacy. Anti-racist curricula that recognize and value the perspectives of students of color are critical to fostering their growth.

Frequently asked questions