April marks Fair Housing Month, and CAI is committed to equitable access to housing for all. We stand firm in our commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive communities in which everyone thrives, has a voice, and is part of the community. This commitment is not just a slogan but a core principle guiding our advocacy efforts and public policy initiatives.
We believe every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability, deserves fair and equal treatment when it comes to housing. It’s why we work constantly to promote policies that ensure housing is accessible to everyone, without discrimination. It is important to note the Federal Fair Housing Acts includes race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability as a protected class. Some states and localities include age as a protected class.
One key aspect of our advocacy is our stance on fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics. CAI supports legislation that strengthens these laws and ensures their enforcement, holding communities accountable for fostering environments free from discrimination.
Beyond access to housing, the Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to harass persons because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin. Among other things, this forbids sexual harassment. If a community association board is aware of neighbor to neighbor harassment, it is the board’s responsibility, under the regulations (quid pro quo and hostile harassment) to take actions within their control to address the harassment. More information can be found in this CAI Guide to Diverse and Inclusive Communities.
In addition, Fair Housing includes reasonable accommodations; which is a change in rules, policies or practices to allow a person with a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy their home or common space. Examples may include service animals, emotional support animals, parking spaces, accommodations to participate in meetings, modifications to access common areas; including wheelchair ramps and railings
Our commitment to fair housing extends beyond mere compliance with laws—it’s about creating communities that embrace diversity and celebrate inclusivity. We believe that by fostering environments where everyone feels welcome and valued, we not only uphold the principles of fairness and equality, but also create the most amazing places to live and work.
Resources
https://www.caionline.org/Advocacy/Priorities/Restrictive/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.caionline.org/Advocacy/LegalArena/FederalLaws/Pages/HUD.aspx
