April is Fair Housing Month. This April is the 39th annual celebration of the passing of the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination by providers of housing such as landlords, home sellers and real estate companies. Illinois also has its own fair housing laws which were amended in 2006 when Illinois added sexual orientation to the listing of protected classes in the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Why a home seller or Realtor would care if buyers are Hispanic, Jewish, or gay is beyond me, yet housing discrimination stills exists. I wrote about charges of racial housing discrimination in Chicago last year in my post, “Unfortunately, Housing Discrimination Still Exists“. This January, the Fair Housing Center of Southeast Michigan published a report describing housing discrimination against people who were perceived to be gay in Michigan.
If you ever suspect you are being discriminated against in the process of buying or selling a home, contact the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fran Bailey shows, previews and tracks downtown Chicago homes for sale giving her the insights needed to help her clients negotiate the best price and terms. Fran has been quoted in numerous Chicago and national publications. To schedule showings of listings regardless of broker or to contact Fran email her at fran.bailey@bairdwarner.com or call 773.793.4516. Learn More
Fran Bailey, Realtor
