Fair Housing Act

Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA)

In 1988, the Congress expanded Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968—which prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin—to include these protections for people with disabilities. By amending Title VIII to include people with disabilities as a protected class, the 1988 Act established a critical civil rights law to repudiate the use of stereotypes, prejudice, and ignorance to exclude people with disabilities from living in housing and communities of their choice.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Housing Task Force has analyses of federal policy initiatives regarding housing for people with disabilities.

The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is a national organization providing technical assistance about supportive housing for people with mental illnesses. Extensive publications and studies in the "Resources" section.

The National Fair Housing Advocate Online is a resource designed to serve both the fair housing advocacy community and the general public with timely news and information regarding the issues of housing discrimination.

Kentucky Housing Corporation, created by the 1972 General Assembly, is a self-supporting, public corporation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky administratively attached to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. A portion of KHC funds are derived from the interest earned through the sale of tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds. From these proceeds, KHC has made homeownership possible for over 60,000 low- and moderate-income Kentucky families.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) is an advocacy organization specializing in affordable housing. Extensive online resources, including housing affordability statistics, advocacy techniques, and updates on current legislation.

The National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness provides technical assistance on services for people who are homeless and have serious mental illnesses. Extensive online publications and training materials.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), coordinates federally funded housing and provides information about developing housing. Links to grant and contract opportunities.

The mission of the Center for Housing and New Community Economics (CHANCE) is to improve and increase access to integrated, affordable, and accessible housing coordinated with, but separate from, personal assistance and supportive services.

Effective October 12, 2000, HUD issued its final regulation re how Section 8 vouchers can be used to buy a house. This is truly an important federal change and opens up terrific opportunities for persons with disabilities. Instead of using a Section 8 voucher to pay rent, you can use it to buy a house.