<P> Victims of housing discrimination need not go through HUD or any other governmental agency to pursue their rights, however . The Fair Housing Act confers jurisdiction to hear cases on federal district courts . The United States Department of Justice also has jurisdiction to file cases on behalf of the United States where there is a pattern and practice of discrimination or where HUD has found discrimination in a case and either party elects to go to federal court instead of continuing in the HUD administrative process . </P> <P> The Fair Housing Act applies to landlords renting or leasing space in their primary residence only if the residence contains living quarters occupied or intended to be occupied by three or more other families living independently of each other, such as an owner - occupied rooming house . </P> <P> The Fair Housing Act has been strengthened since its adoption in 1968, but enforcement continues to be a concern among housing advocates . According to a 2010 evaluation of Analysis of Impediments (AI) reports done by the Government Accountability Office, enforcement is particularly inconsistent across local jurisdictions . </P>

When did the fair housing act became law