SC.GOV: The Official Web site of the State of South Carolina

APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH - 2009 marks the 41st Anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, the federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing. The national theme for this year's observance is "Fair Housing: It's Not An Option, It's The Law."

In 1989 South Carolina passed a Fair Housing Law that provides rights and remedies substantially equivalent to those found in the Federal Fair Housing Act. At the time of passage, South Carolina was the first state in the Southeast Region, and the second state in the nation to pass a Fair Housing Law recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as being substantially equivalent to the National Fair Housing Law. Recognizing the importance of Fair Housing benefits South Carolina's people and places by providing opportunities and improving quality of life. The Community Development Block Grant Program at the South Carolina Department of Commerce supports fair housing opportunities for all citizens of our state.

Recognizing the importance of Fair Housing benefits all South Carolinians by providing opportunity and access and improving quality of life. For more information on Fair Housing and the laws governing housing discrimination, you may contact the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Grants Administration at (803) 734-0429 or visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Web site.

Sponsored by the Community Development Block Grant Program at the South Carolina Department of Commerce.