April is Fair Housing Month, established to honor The Fair Housing Act as well as serve as an annual reminder of the need for equal housing opportunities for all. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 protects people from discrimination when they are applying for a mortgage or housing assistance, renting or buying a house, or participating in other housing-related activities. This Act prohibits discrimination based on disability, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or familial status. The Fair Housing Act was signed by President Johnson and was passed one week after the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
You can learn more about The Fair Housing Act at this link.
Independence Now is honoring Fair Housing Month with weekly posts of information that can help people looking for housing or on housing waiting lists. There are lots of things that can and need to be taken care of in advance to be ready for a housing opportunity.
Additionally, you are always welcome to join our monthly housing seminar. Check our event calendar for the next event.
Check your Credit
When applying for a housing unit to rent, the property management company reviews your credit history. This means they review a summary of how you’ve handled credit accounts in the past: did you pay your balance, were you ever late making payments or do you have large amounts of money due to creditors. When you apply for services such as phone or utilities, these providers may also review your credit before setting up your account. Your credit will be reviewed by several entities as you move into housing. Therefore it is important to check your credit for errors or unpaid balances that you do not know about. Every year you can request a free copy of your credit at www.annualcreditreport.com Once you receive your credit, review it to make sure it reflects your financial history. Repairing your credit by cleaning up outstanding debt or unpaid fees can make a real difference in being accepted into a rental property.
If you need help with this, contact the CASH Campaign of Maryland for free help. https://cashmd.org/
