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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.

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Consumer Guide Update: Preparing for Homeownership

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 19, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on preparing for homeownership. This guide covers what prospective buyers should consider as they kick off the home purchase process, including the importance of credit scores, mortgage pre-approval, down payments, budgeting, and educational resources. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Preparing for Homeownership Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with potential clients to ensure they have the information they need to be successful in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property taxes.

Consumer Guide Update: Escrow and Earnest Money

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 14, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on escrow. This guide covers what homebuyers should know about earnest money deposits, including the general terms and use cases in real estate transactions. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Flood 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 homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover preparing prospective buyers for homeownership.

2026 LR Officer Elections, RVPs & NAR Director Applications

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 12, 2025
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will conduct several elections this Spring. Interested candidates that meet the qualification who are looking to serve at either the state association level or the national association level are encouraged to view the criteria and submit an application. An application that is not submitted on the appropriate form or not submitted pursuant to the instructions shall not be considered as submitted timely.
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