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Fair Housing Act of 1968

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Definition

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a landmark civil rights law that prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. It was a significant piece of legislation during the Lyndon Johnson administration's Great Society program.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson just a week after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
  2. The act expanded on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.
  3. The Fair Housing Act established the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and gave it the authority to investigate and prosecute housing discrimination cases.
  4. The act also provided for the creation of fair housing assistance programs and the development of a national fair housing policy.
  5. The Fair Housing Act was a crucial component of the Great Society program, which aimed to address issues of poverty, inequality, and civil rights during the Johnson administration.

Review Questions

  • Explain the key provisions of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and how they built upon previous civil rights legislation.
    • The Fair Housing Act of 1968 expanded on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. It established the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and gave it the authority to investigate and prosecute housing discrimination cases. The act also provided for the creation of fair housing assistance programs and the development of a national fair housing policy. This legislation was a crucial component of President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society program, which aimed to address issues of poverty, inequality, and civil rights during his administration.
  • Analyze the impact of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 on the broader goals of the Great Society program during the Johnson administration.
    • The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a significant piece of legislation within the broader context of the Great Society program under President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Great Society was a set of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice, and the Fair Housing Act was a crucial component of this effort. By prohibiting discrimination in housing, the act sought to address issues of inequality and promote equal access to housing opportunities, which was essential for achieving the Great Society's goals of reducing poverty and promoting civil rights. The Fair Housing Act's establishment of HUD and fair housing assistance programs further demonstrated the Johnson administration's commitment to addressing these social and economic challenges as part of the Great Society's comprehensive approach to improving the lives of all Americans.
  • Evaluate the long-term significance of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 in the context of the civil rights movement and the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.
    • The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that built upon previous efforts to address racial discrimination and promote equal opportunity. Signed into law just a week after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the act represented a significant victory for the civil rights movement and the Johnson administration's Great Society program. By prohibiting discrimination in housing, the Fair Housing Act sought to dismantle systemic barriers to fair and equal access to housing, a crucial component of achieving racial and economic justice. The act's long-term significance lies in its role in shaping the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States, as it established important legal precedents and institutional frameworks for addressing housing discrimination and promoting more inclusive and equitable communities. The Fair Housing Act's legacy continues to shape debates and policy efforts around fair housing, urban development, and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive society.

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