News & Events

For media inquiries and other press-related questions, please contact the NAAG Press Center at (202) 326-6027.

Press Room

NAAG Recognizes 40th Anniversary Of The Fair Housing Act During National Fair Housing Month

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act --- the landmark legislation signed into law on April 11, 1968 that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, (and as amended) disability or family status.

Every April, people across the country are encouraged to learn more about their rights and responsibilities under the Act as a part of National Fair Housing Month.

More than 10,000 people filed housing discrimination complaints last year, most from persons with disabilities, according to an annual report released this month by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD also found that race-based housing discrimination was the second most frequent reason individuals filed complaints.

It is unlawful to discriminate in the sale, rental, or financing of housing and as the chief legal officers of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories and commonwealths, Attorneys General work to ensure justice and equal rights for all.

Individuals who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact their Attorney General for available resources or call HUD’s national hotline at 1 (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing.

red logo