Final answer:
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, gender, age, and disability. Although it was a significant step toward equality, housing discrimination has persisted over the years, and various administrations have made efforts to enforce and strengthen the act.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act that prohibits inequities related to housing is the Fair Housing Act of 1968, also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This landmark legislation banned discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, gender, age, and disability. Although it sought to outlaw practices like redlining and other forms of housing discrimination, studies and audits have shown that, historically, individuals, particularly minorities, have faced differential treatment in housing opportunities.
Over time, further laws have strengthened the protections under the Fair Housing Act. For instance, by the 1970s, the impact of redlining was significantly visible in inner cities throughout the United States. Efforts to combat these issues have persisted over the years, including policy proposals by the Obama administration to lead to more integrated communities. However, there has been varying enforcement of these regulations, which affects the effectiveness of such anti-discrimination measures.
Mortgage discrimination and refusal to sell or rent to ethnic minorities by realtors was also prevalent, maintaining housing segregation in various communities. Despite being unlawful today, evidence suggests that covert discrimination in housing still occurs.