This month commemorates the 56th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, a pivotal component of the 1968 Civil Rights Act signed by President Johnson on April 11, 1968, in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.‘s assassination.
My father, Lloyd Davis, dedicated much of his life to advocating for civil rights, notably as a senior adviser to the Secretary of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While at HUD, he spearheaded the establishment of the department’s first-ever voluntary fair housing program and minority business enterprise program. I'm very proud of my dad!
Today, Title VIII of the Fair Housing Act remains a cornerstone of anti-discrimination legislation, prohibiting bias based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, national origin, and disability.
As we commemorate the Fair Housing Act’s 56th anniversary, we must remain vigilant in addressing the inequalities and inequities that still exist in housing. While the demand for expanding affordable and workforce housing is undeniable, this urgency must not overshadow the crucial need for fair housing considerations.
Dad dedicated much of his life to advocating for civil rights: Clockwise from top left: with President George W. Bush and Coretta Scott King, President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy, and Mahalia Jackson.
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