Federal Fair Housing Laws

Question 1

How did the federal fair housing laws being?

Answer 1

With the Civil Rights Act of 1866. This act prohibited discrimination in housing based on race. Since the last half of the 20th century, there has been an increasing number of remedies provided under this act.

Question 2

What did the Fair Housing Act of 1968?

Answer 2

It prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, or national origin

Question 3

Explain Jones v. Mayer

Answer 3

The case ruled that discrimination on the basis of race is strictly prohibited. This means there can be no exemptions or exceptions with regard to race

Question 4

What did the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 do?

Answer 4

Added sex to the list of protected classes

Question 5

What did the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 do?

Answer 5

Added handicap and familial status to the list of protected classes. If a person has a physical or mental disability/handicap, a property owner may not:

• refuse to let the person make reasonable modifications to the dwelling or common use areas so he/she can use the housing
• refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services if necessary for the person to use the housing

Question 6

The Federal Fair Housing Act is administered by the _ under the direction of the secretary of _

Answer 6

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Question 7

What time frame can someone make a complaint to _ if they believe they’ve been discriminated against?

Answer 7

Within one year of the alleged act, to HUD

Question 8

What is conciliation?

Answer 8

HUD can attempt to resolve the complaint by getting assurance from the person against whom the complaint was filed that he/she will remedy the alleged violation

Question 9

What time frame can someone file a suit in a state or federal court for an alleged violation?

Answer 9

Within 2 years of the alleged violation

Question 10

What federal cases played a role in shaping American civil rights policy?

Answer 10

Plessy v Ferguson (1896)

Buchanan v Warley (1917)

Brown v Board of Education (1954)

Question 11

When did the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) become effective?

Answer 11

1990

Question 12

ADA mandates that persons with disabilities have equal access to _

Answer 12

Jobs, public accommodations, gov’t services, public transportation, telecommunications