CAI rejects illegal discrimination in housing and favors the availability of adequate and appropriate housing for all. Did you know that in addition to being a civil rights movement leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also was a fierce advocate for fair housing?
Both in his youth and his travels as a civil rights leader, Dr. King witnessed systemic segregation in neighborhoods nationwide and saw Black Americans routinely excluded from opportunities to live in safe and sufficient housing situations. He knew all people were equally deserving of access to the housing that they need, recognized that persistent housing segregation throughout the United States perpetuated racial injustice, and resolved to fight for access to safe and reliable housing for all Americans.
After years of contentious debate and dedicated advocacy, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 strengthened voting rights for people of color and the desegregation of schools but failed to address housing discrimination and its impacts.
In 1967 at Stanford University, Dr. King’s “The Other America” speech called for federal fair housing legislation to prevent discrimination and advance equity and unity nationwide. Though Dr. King was not alive to witness the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, he likely would have celebrated this milestone. This critical legislation expanded on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, and family status. In 1988, Congress amended the act by adding handicap and familial status to the list of classes protected from discrimination. Almost all states have enacted similar or identical statutes.
“There is a need for fair housing laws all over our country… And the only way this problem will be solved is by the nation taking a strong stand, and by state governments taking a strong stand against housing segregation and against discrimination.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“The Other America” speech (1967)
To truly eradicate housing discrimination nationwide, advocacy must happen at every level. While shaping state and federal legislation is a critical component of this work, so is local advocacy. We all must help educate our communities about the history and impact of housing discrimination and implore our neighbors to join us in the pursuit of equality.
Community associations throughout the United States must adopt bylaws and practice behaviors that eliminate bias and inequality. By fostering communities where everyone feels equally welcome and valued, we uphold the principles of fairness and equality and also reinforce community associations as amazing places to live and work.
CAI reaffirms unwavering support for fair housing for all. We continue to pursue state legislation that provides a simple process for community associations to amend covenants to remove discriminatory, antiquated, and illegal restrictions. Because of CAI’s leadership and advocacy, 11 states have statutes to aid in the removal of restrictive covenants in deeds and associations. Additionally, 15 states have statutes that solely cover deeds.
CAI supports the right of all individuals to be free from illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, national origin, or disability. CAI also supports the right of community associations to enforce their covenants, bylaws, and rules, provided they do not illegally discriminate against any protected class. To mitigate discrimination, CAI encourages fair and reasonable interpretations and administration of, or changes to, federal, state, and local fair housing acts and related legislation and regulations. Learn more about CAI’s public policy on fair housing here.
Throughout his life as an advocate and leader, Dr. King often emphasized the interconnection between race, poverty, and housing. In his honor we remember that the dream for racial justice and equality goes hand-in-hand with the fight for fair housing. Check out CAI’s Diverse and Inclusive Communities Guide, advocate for policy change at every level, initiate critical conversations about equality in your community, and join us in the fight for equality and justice.
