President Ronald Reagan on September 13, 1988 signing the Fair Housing Act Amendments Act into law on the White House lawn.

The Fair Housing Act Amendments Act (FHAA) was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in September 1988.  It extended housing protections to people with disabilities. The purpose of the FHAA was to give people with disabilities equal chances of obtaining housing as non-disabled people, as well as to promote independent living and integration of people with disabilities into their communities.   Sometimes there is discrimination toward people with disabilities when it comes to housing and this can be a problem. The Fair Housing Amendments Act ensures that equal housing opportunities for people with disabilities are a right, not a privilege. Everyone has a right to live in the community.

Housing for the disability community includes residing in the community, not on the outskirts or away from the community.  When a disabled person is looking for their own housing in any community, neighbors and supporters including realtors and banks cannot relay a message that disabled people can’t be in the community.  Such a message would be discriminatory and would limit disabled peoples’ housing options. In such a case, a person has an option to file a complaint.

It is important to be aware of the Fair Housing Amendments Act and its protections.  We can always refer back to the law whenever we need to. It’s your right to live in the community and be protected by housing laws as well. 

To file a housing discrimination complaint:

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint#_How_to_File