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In April of 1968, Congress approved the
Federal Fair Housing Act under the leadership of President
Lyndon B. Johnson. The act was passed a mere two weeks
after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The initial laws only prohibited discrimination based
on race, color, religion and national origin. Sex was
added to the protected classes in 1974 and disability
and familial status (the presence of children under
the age 18) were added in 1988. The Georgia Fair Housing
Act was passed in 1988 and essentially mirrors the federal
act.
Who's Protected
- The following are protected under both federal and
state law:
Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex (Gender)
Familial Status (the presence of children under the
age of 18)
Disability
What's Prohibited
- It is illegal to discriminate in any area of housing.
These are some examples of prohibited acts:
Refusal to rent or sell a dwelling
Misrepresentation
Steering
Discriminatory terms and conditions of sale or rental
Discriminatory provision of services
Advertising
Blockbusting
Financing/lending
Coercion, intimidation, threats, or interference (retaliation)
Insurance redlining
What should I do if I've been
discriminated against? - SEEK HELP!
Write everything down! Keep a written record of all
attempted and actual contacts and conversations with
the housing provider or housing professional
Don't throw anything away! Keep and make copies of all
documents, leases, applications, receipts, letters,
etc.
Contact Metro! Call 404-765-3940 or contact Ashley
Boone
What happens next?
Under the Georgia Fair Housing Laws, you may be entitled
to financial relief, including actual, compensatory,
or punitive damages and the person that discriminated
against you will have to pay your attorney fees and
court costs. You may also be entitled to access to the
property at issue or a comparable property and the housing
provider will have to stop the discriminatory practice.
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