The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was designed with an anti-discrimination housing policy built into the law. The Supreme Court in 1948 declared the previous law’s real estate law was unenforceable. Discrimination against minorities increased the division between African Americans and Caucasians in the real estate industry and market. The Fair Housing Act was part of the Civil Rights Act enacted in 1968. The law prevented discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion or nation of origin. A landlord or owner could not refuse to rent or sell to anyone within those boundaries. Later, the Americans with Disabilities Act changed the wording to include individuals with disabilities or families with children under 18 with disabilities. Complaints about discrimination can be filed with the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity agency free of charge.
