Final answer:
A person who believes they are a victim of housing discrimination should file a complaint with HUD, which enforces federal anti-discrimination laws. Discrimination in housing is connected to employment as it affects access to opportunities and contributes to socioeconomic disparities.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person believes that they are a victim of illegal discrimination in housing, they should file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD is responsible for enforcing federal laws against discrimination in housing practices. This includes discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability as stipulated by the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, specifically bans such discrimination in the sale or rental of housing.
The connection between discrimination in the housing market and employment is substantial. Studies have shown that minorities, including Black, Asian, and Hispanic individuals, are shown fewer properties and undergo more stringent credit checks than their White counterparts. This sort of discrimination in housing can have broader implications, including limiting access to communities with better employment opportunities or schools, which further entrenches social and economic disparities.
HUD auditors conduct fair housing audits to identify racial discrimination in housing opportunities. These audits frequently reveal that minorities face significant disparities in housing options, a clear violation of the Fair Housing Act, and a barrier to equal opportunity and socioeconomic mobility.