The Fair Housing Time Line

The CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1866 bans RACE discrimination in all property transactions — no exceptions, no exemptions, enforced by private suit in federal court (Jones v. Mayer, 1968, confirmed it). The FAIR HOUSING ACT (Title VIII, 1968) added color, religion, and national origin with limited exemptions; 1974 added SEX; the 1988 AMENDMENTS added DISABILITY and FAMILIAL STATUS, plus HUD enforcement teeth. HUD's discriminatory-effects rule reaches policies that disproportionately harm protected groups even without intent. State and local laws add classes — sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, age — and the STRICTEST applicable law controls the licensee's conduct.