Attorney General Jay Jones recognized the beginning of National Fair Housing Month on April 9, highlighting the efforts of civil rights leaders in the passage of the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968.
The observance underscores the importance of equal housing opportunities and ongoing work to address discrimination. The federal law prohibits discrimination in all aspects of housing based on race, sex, religion, national origin, family status, disability, and other protected characteristics.
“Passage of the Fair Housing Act occurred at a time when our communities were fraught with blatant discrimination. The voices and dreams of hardworking Americans were ignored,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “In a divisive, explosive time in our country’s history, Black communities and their allies did not back down in their fight for equality. Today, Virginians still see the chasms in access to resources, investment, and community assets left behind by these inequitable systems. The responsibility to continue this fight and guard these protections is one that my office is proud to accept.”
Virginia Fair Housing Director Liz Hayes also commented on this milestone: “As we mark the 54th anniversary of the Virginia Fair Housing Law, we’re reminded that housing provides the foundation for our families, communities, and futures. This April, we celebrate the progress we’ve made with the Office of the Attorney General to enforce the law and reaffirm our commitment to fair, equitable housing opportunities for all in Virginia.”
The federal act was passed shortly after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination as activists sought justice against segregation according to information from Attorney General’s office official website. Four years later in 1972 Virginia enacted its own law building upon those protections.
The Office of Civil Rights within Virginia’s Attorney General’s Office works alongside state partners like the Virginia Fair Housing Office to ensure these laws are upheld across all communities statewide according to official sources. The Attorney General supports civil rights enforcement programs as well as victim assistance initiatives according to its website.
Additionally,the Attorney General serves all residents throughout Virginia, providing legal counsel for state agencies while promoting public safety and defending constitutional rights.The office addresses issues such as human trafficking and domestic violence through legal advocacy.It also offers consumer protection resources including identity theft prevention tools.
