Monday, January 19th, marks a day when the life, service, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are honored. Dr. King’s service to humanity is commemorated on the third Monday of January, near his birthday on January 15th. Dr. King’s fight for justice, liberation, love, and community lives on through the work of organizers, advocates, community leaders, and others committed to creating a better world. Dr. King’s vision of peace and unity is especially salient today, as the rights and liberties he fought for have been threatened, potentially leaving many people vulnerable to discriminatory practices and exclusion.
In Dr. King’s fight for equality, he put a spotlight on the insidiousness of housing discrimination and injustice. While living in Chicago, he organized rallies and demonstrations that highlighted the challenges faced by poor and Black community members, especially renters and tenants. He recognized that fair housing is a fundamental human need and a civil right. His work for housing justice not only resonated in Chicago but across the country. Dr. King’s fight for fair housing was the foundation for the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, after his untimely death. This act is a cornerstone of Civil Rights, affirming the right to safe, accessible, and affordable housing. The work of Dr. King in the housing sector continues through organizations like NLIHC and our partners in this work, who are fighting for racial and social justice.