Homeownership is often noted as one of the key pillars of the American Dream. In April 1968, the Fair Housing Act was passed nationally to ensure the possibility of that dream for all people in our nation. Each April, we celebrate Fair Housing Month to commemorate this important step toward equality in our country.

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin and sex. It was later amended in 1988 to include disability and family status as protected classes.

There are many ways to celebrate and champion Fair Housing Month in your own community! Here are a few of our top ideas:

• Get to know your neighbors. If you don’t already know your neighbors, this month is a great time to safely knock on some doors and put a name to a face. Learning other people’s stories is one of the greatest ways to show them you care.
• Find books for yourself and your children to read that depict fair housing practices and celebrate other cultures.
• Educate yourself on unfair housing practices so you can identify them in your work and personal life.

At InterLinc, we’re proud to be an Equal Housing Lender, serving a diverse customer base across our branches. The Equal Housing Lender logo isn’t just a logo to us, it’s a promise to treat all of our customers with respect and honesty as we work to help them fulfill their dream of homeownership.