Unit 17: Fair Housing

administrative law judge (ALJ)

A judicial official who presides over legal disputes in administrative hearings, making decisions on regulatory or governmental issues, often involving agencies or departments.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and other areas.

blockbusting

The practice of persuading homeowners to sell their properties at low prices by instilling fear of the influx of minority groups, resulting in racial segregation and real estate market manipulation.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

A federal law that prohibits racial discrimination in property transactions, ensuring equal rights in housing.

concilation

The process of resolving disputes between parties, often involving negotiation and compromise, to achieve a mutually acceptable agreement, particularly in housing and civil rights issues.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

A federal agency created to address issues related to housing and urban development, including enforcing fair housing laws and promoting community development.

Fair Housing Act

A landmark federal law enacted in 1968 that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, family status, and disability.

Fair Housing Amendments Act

A 1988 law that expanded the Fair Housing Act to include protections against discrimination based on disability and familial status, strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA)

A federal law enacted in 1995 that provides exemptions for certain housing developments from the Fair Housing Act's familial status protections, allowing for age-restricted communities for older persons.

redlining

The practice of denying loans or insurance based on location, typically affecting minority communities, and contributing to racial segregation in housing.

steering

The unethical practice of guiding potential homebuyers or renters towards or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, religion, or other protected characteristics, perpetuating segregation.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act)

A landmark federal legislation that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.