Fair Housing Meter was launched on the first of the month, and now that Fair Housing Month is coming to a close, the meter has settled on a number that reflects the current state of fair housing in the United States—after 100 days of the second Trump administration. Considering both positive and negative events and developments, Fair Housing Meter has now tracked the rise and fall of this core aspect of civil rights since the nation’s founding in 1776.

Where things stand today has been set and will be revealed soon. After that, Fair Housing Meter will keep track—in real time and through brief trips back in history—of the state of fair housing and equal opportunity (FHEO) in the United States. In the meantime, check out the poll below and offer your assessment about the health and progress of fair housing in American society in the comments.

Today is not just the fourth day of Fair Housing Month, but April 4, 2025 marks the 57th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Exactly one week after this tragic event, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark Fair Housing Act into law, banning housing discrimination on the federal level based on race, color, religion, and national origin, later expanded to include sex, disability, and familial status.

Since the law’s enactment, presidents from both parties have issued official proclamations declaring April as Fair Housing Month or made other statements reaffirming America’s commitment to core principles of equity and dignity. These powerful words across all administrations since the Fair Housing Act’s inception serve as reflections of our collective dedication toward its aims.

Here are notable quotes from presidential proclamations and remarks over the past 57 years:

President Lyndon B. Johnson (1968):
“It proclaims that fair housing for all—all human beings who live in this country—is now a part of the American way of life.”

President Richard Nixon (1971):
“The history of racial discrimination in housing in America runs deep; but, to the Nation’s credit, so do efforts to correct it.”

President Gerald Ford (1975):
“The principles of fair housing cannot be brought out and dusted off one month each year. These principles must be taught, advanced, and supported each and every day of the year.”

President Jimmy Carter (1979):
“The freedoms that we believe in, enjoy and benefit from cannot be secure unless they are shared by all Americans. As long as equal opportunity is denied to one person, the promise of equality for all will be unfulfilled.”

President Ronald Reagan (1986):
“Fairness is the foundation of our way of life and reflects the best of our traditional American values. Invidious discriminatory housing practices are abhorrent to the American sense of fair play.”

President George H.W. Bush (1991):
“We Americans cherish the many blessings that we enjoy in this land of freedom and opportunity—including our ability to decide where we live and work. During much of our Nation’s history, however, that prerogative has frequently been denied to persons with disabilities.”

President Bill Clinton (1998):
“By limiting housing choice, discrimination reduces the quality of life for many Americans. During the past three decades, we have made great strides in opening housing markets. But housing discrimination, although less apparent than in years past, still exists, and the need to enforce fair housing laws vigorously remains as urgent today as ever.”

President George W. Bush (2008):
“Our Nation has come a long way, yet our journey to justice is not complete... we acknowledge our responsibility to ensure that all Americans enjoy the opportunities that this great land of liberty offers.”

President Barack Obama (2015):
“It’s our job as citizens to make sure we keep pushing this country we love toward our most cherished ideals—that all of us are created equal, and all of us deserve an equal shot… Almost 50 years ago, Republicans and Democrats in Congress came together to pass the Fair Housing Act. And it made a difference in this country.”

President Donald Trump (2018):
“Over the last 50 years, our Nation has made great strides toward ensuring Americans have access to fair and affordable housing free from discrimination.”

President Joe Biden (2021):
“The purpose of the Fair Housing Act was to put an end to inequities in our housing system and eliminate racial segregation in American neighborhoods.”

These statements from the nation’s chief executives remind us that fair housing is a right to be cherished as well as an ongoing responsibility. The United States commemorates the Fair Housing Act each year in April, and we reflect both on our progress and the work that remains to achieve fair housing and equal opportunity.

Although Fair Housing Month always begins on April Fool’s Day, housing discrimination is no joke. In fact, with fair housing currently under siege, it’s time to take it even more seriously. Stay tuned for a special Fair Housing Meter announcement later this month.

The United States has long commemorated the passage of the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) through proclamations, know-your-rights seminars, poster contests, and other meaningful activities in April. “Fair Housing Month,” as it is called, celebrates what has been achieved when it comes to fighting housing discrimination while also recognizing that fair housing, like all civil rights, remains an ongoing struggle.

Indeed, the Fair Housing Act did not make it into the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 but was passed four years later, and only after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which occurred one week earlier. While it may not have been perfect and has, in fact, since been amended several times, the Fair Housing Act reflected a federal commitment to ban housing discrimination based on certain protected classes, beginning with race, color, religion, and national origin, and then adding sex, disability, and familial status.

There has been much progress on the federal, state, and local levels over the past 57 years. However, the promise of fair housing and equal opportunity remains elusive for so many people. The new Trump administration, soon after beginning its tenure on January 20, 2025, has made clear its intent to destroy the framework and funding behind fair housing education and enforcement. As a result, observing Fair Housing Month has taken on special meaning this year.

It’s ironic that Fair Housing Month begins on April 1, which is April Fool’s Day. It’s a day that we associate with jokes and hoaxes, yet it’s also the start of a month that focuses on the longtime struggle for equal access to housing. In stark contrast to just one year ago, fair housing protections, along with many other civil rights protections, are under serious threat.

Fair Housing Meter is needed now, more than ever, to track where the United States stands in terms of achieving true fair housing and equal opportunity (known as FHEO). Officially launched today, coinciding with Fair Housing Month 2025, Fair Housing Meter will track where we are, how we got here, and how far we still have to go, especially as the road ahead suddenly seems murky.

Today is both the start of Fair Housing Month and April Fool’s Day, but don’t be fooled into believing that housing discrimination is a thing of the past, or that hard-fought gains in civil rights are automatically permanent. On the contrary, given the current political climate, it’s time to get serious about fair housing.

Fair Housing Meter was launched on the first of the month, and the meter itself will debut on April 30, 2025, the last day of this month. Fair Housing Meter will keep track—in real time and across history—of the state of fair housing and equal opportunity (FHEO) in the United States. With its finger on the pulse of housing discrimination in America, you can follow along to understand how the political climate and other forces are affecting fair housing (and, more broadly, civil rights) for better or worse.

In the meantime, check out the poll below and offer your assessment about the health and progress of fair housing in American society.