Fair Housing Law

Federal Law

Housing Discrimination is more than a refusal to rent, sell, or finance housing. Title VIII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1968 is commonly referred to as the Federal Fair Housing Act. This federal law, as amended in 1974 and 1988, protects individual rights to equal housing opportunity without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and/or familial status (the presence of children). The Fair Housing Act covers most housing, including single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and condominiums. Both privately owned and subsidized housing is covered.

Basic Design and Construction Requirements

In addition to protected classes, the Fair Housing Act requires all multi-family housing built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 to adhere to seven design requirements to ensure basic wheelchair accessibility for ground floor units.

1. An accessible building entrance on an accessible route
2. Accessible common and public use areas
3. Doors usable by a person in a wheelchair
4. Accessible route into and through the dwelling unit
5. Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and other environmental controls in accessible locations
6. Reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of grab bars, if needed
7. Usable kitchens and bathrooms

State Law

In Michigan, housing discrimination is prohibited by the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act. State law includes all federal protections and adds age and marital status, sexual orientation*, and gender identity or expression*.

* _{while sexual orientation and gender identity or expression are also covered under the fair housing act, Michigan law now specifically adds these protections.}

Local Ordinances

Some municipalities have local ordinances that provide additional protections. Throughout our service area, this includes: