What is the Fair Housing Act?

Louisiana REALTORS® • April 6, 2023

A federal statute known as the Fair Housing Act (FHA) was created in 1968 to address and stop discrimination in the housing industry. The legislation forbids discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial position, and handicap in the purchase, leasing, and financing of housing.


The significant discrimination that numerous minority groups experienced in the housing market at the time led to the passage of the Fair Housing Act. Before the statute, it was standard practice for landlords and realtors to decline renting or selling to people of particular races, faiths, or national origins. To end these practices and guarantee that everyone has an equal opportunity to find a home, the FHA was created.


Under the FHA, it is illegal for a landlord or seller to:

  • Refuse to rent or sell housing to someone based on their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
  • Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for the rental or sale of housing based on someone's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
  • Advertise or make any statement that indicates a preference or limitation based on someone's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
  • Coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with anyone's exercise or enjoyment of their fair housing rights.


In addition to providing these safeguards, the FHA also set up the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) to look into discrimination claims in housing and uphold the law. In order to address discrimination in the housing market, the FHEO is empowered to carry out investigations, bring legal action, and take other measures.


It's crucial to remember that the FHA shields people not only from unintentional discrimination but also from laws or practices that can have that impact. For instance, a landlord's demand that all renters have a minimum income greater than the local area's median income may discriminate against families with children or people with impairments who might not have the same earning potential as others.


The Fair Housing Act is an important civil rights law that has had a significant impact on housing opportunities in the United States. While there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone has equal access to housing, we can celebrate the progress that has been made and continue to work towards a more fair and just society.

CONTACT LOUISIANA REALTORS®

Consumer Guide Update: Teen Financial Literacy

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 9, 2026
Want Your Teen to Own a Home Someday? Start Talking Money Now Teens may not be thinking about mortgage rates or down payments just yet, but the money habits they’re building now can follow them for years. And 88% of teens surveyed by Fannie Mae and Junior Achievement said they want to own a home someday. This week’s Consumer Guide: Talk to Your Teens About Money and Homeownership makes those conversations a little easier, covering everything from credit scores and budgeting to debt, renting versus owning and saving for that eventual down payment. So yes, you may have to interrupt the doomscrolling. But helping teens get smarter about money today could put them in a much better position to get the keys to a home of their own down the road. Download all of NAR’s Consumer Guides in English or Spanish at facts.realtor. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Teen Financial Literacy Fraud Red Flags Helping Family Members Become Homeowners Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season Condominium Insurance Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. The next Consumer Guide, scheduled for publication on Oct. 21, will cover winter cold and storm preparedness.

Constitutional Amendment Positions for November 3, 2026 Election

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 9, 2026
Homeownership Is on Louisiana's November Ballot

Cookbook for the REALTORS® Relief Foundation On Sale Now!

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 8, 2026
After months of gathering recipes from across our Louisiana REALTORS® family, the cookbook is ready! This 200+ page collection is filled with Louisiana flavor, REALTOR® heart and recipes contributed by our members. We launched sales of the cookbook at the Fall Governance Meetings. You can now purchase your copy for $30 directly from the printer and shipped to you! Additionally, we will have copies available at the RRF booth at NXT . After NXT, we will carry a limited stock at the LR office for you to purchase through the LR Merch Shop and pick-up from the office or at an LR event, as stock is available. Even better, $15 from every cookbook sold will be donated to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to help provide housing-related assistance to REALTORS® and their families following disasters. Pick up a copy for yourself, grab one as a gift and enjoy a taste of Louisiana while supporting a great cause!
Show More