April 17, 2026 | by Anna Orendain
Categories: Fair Housing
Every year, we like to recognize the day when a historic piece of legislation became reality. This year, April 11th marked the 58th anniversary of when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act of 1968 into law.
Formerly known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 built upon the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and secured national protections against housing discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, disability, and family status.
It's also the legislation that protects Americans' right to rent or buy a home, obtain a mortgage, and/or purchase home insurance!
In honor of Fair Housing Month and the impact that it's had in our country, we're sharing the following resources and information to help our readers better understand this law and the rights it protects.
Each April, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs presents a series of informational webinars on the Fair Housing Act and some of the most commonly encountered fair housing issues in Texas. Register for their upcoming webinar:
Your local community may be hosting its own events to celebrate Fair Housing Month. For example, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Austin Housing are hosting a Fair Housing and Economic Mobility Conference on April 29th.
Similarly, your community may have its own resources to help you understand fair housing issues. The City of Dallas' Fair Housing Division has a Fair Housing Community Resource Guide that's available online in both English and Spanish.
We hope that, with the resources listed above, you have enough information to confidently navigate fair housing issues. For more information about home buying, rental housing, and the housing industry in general, be sure to check out the rest of our On the House blog and podcast.
On the House blog posts are meant to provide general information on various housing-related issues, research and programs. We are not liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the information provided by blog sources. Furthermore, this blog is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.
Would You Send Me Information About Persons With Disabilities, Over 65 Yo & Disability Parking, Handicap Parking 2026 Rules
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Hi Cynthia,
Handicap parking laws are designed to ensure access for individuals with qualifying mobility-related disabilities. Eligibility is not based on age alone, being over 65 does not automatically qualify someone for a disability parking placard.
To qualify, an individual must have a medical condition certified by a licensed healthcare provider that limits mobility or safe movement. Examples may include difficulty walking, use of mobility aids, or certain medical conditions affecting endurance or breathing.
In most states, including Texas, disability placards or license plates are issued through the state motor vehicle agency after medical certification is submitted and approved.
Key rules include:
-The placard must be used only by the person it was issued to, or when that person is being transported
-It must be properly displayed when parking
-Unauthorized use or parking in designated accessible spaces is subject to fines
These rules are in place to ensure accessible parking is available for those who truly need it.