Summer 2026 - Fair Housing Fundamentals
What is Fair Housing?
The right to housing of one’s choice without unlawful discrimination.
Ensuring that everyone has equal rights and equitable access to housing.
The creation of stronger and all-embracing communities for everyone.
What is the Fair Housing Act?
A law that protects people from discrimination when renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. The Fair Housing Act, also know as the Civil Rights Act of 1968, has two goals: 1) to eliminate housing discrimination, and 2) to promote residential integration.
What is housing discrimination?
Housing discrimination can take many forms, including (but not limited to) the following activities based on someone’s membership in a protected class:
Refusal to rent or sell
Different terms or conditions
Discriminatory statements
Misrepresenting a unit’s availability
Intimidation, coercion, or retaliation
Steering certain people to live in a specific area
Refusing a Reasonable Accommodation or Modification request from a person with a disability
Federally Protected Classes
Race, Color (skin tone), National Origin (country of origin or ancestry regardless of citizenship status), Religion, Sex, Family Status (the presence of children), and Disability (physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities).
Virginia’s Additional Protected Classes
Elderliness (age 55+), Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Military Status (includes active military service members or Veterans and their families), and Source of Funds (like rental assistance, DPA, Housing Choice Vouchers, etc.).
If you believe that you (or someone you know) have experienced housing discrimination, contact Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of VA for free assistance.
HOME of VA, (804) 354-0641, www.homeofva.org
Want to read more news from SCDHC? Check out our Summer 2026 Newsletter.