What federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race?

The federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race is indeed the Civil Rights Act of 1866. This legislation was one of the first passed in the United States to address civil rights and specifically prohibits discrimination based on race in all aspects of property transactions, including the sale and rental of real estate. It established a fundamental legal framework for ensuring that individuals would not be denied the right to own property merely due to their race, thereby laying the groundwork for future civil rights protections.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, while significant for addressing discrimination in various areas such as employment and public accommodations, is not specifically focused on housing. The Civil Rights Act of 1974 expanded the scope of discrimination to include sex, but it was the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which was an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that directly addressed housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 made further amendments to existing civil rights laws but did not originate the prohibition against housing discrimination based on race.

In summary, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 stands out as the pivotal legislation directly addressing racial discrimination in housing, establishing the legal precedent that has shaped subsequent laws