Effingham — Ch. 17 Art. VI Fair Housing § 17-159
Blockbusting prohibited
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful, for profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by making representations (whether true or false) regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood in which said dwelling is located of persons of a particular race, color, creed, ancestry, or national origin. (Ord. No. 18-89, § 2-5 , 3-21-89)
Section 17-159 of Effingham's Fair Housing ordinance prohibits a practice known as blockbusting — using representations about the racial, ethnic, religious, or national-origin composition of a neighborhood to pressure or persuade property owners to sell or rent their homes. The ban applies whether the representations made are true or false, as long as they are made for profit. This rule is designed to prevent exploitation of community demographics for financial gain in real estate transactions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 17-159, compliant real estate professionals and property managers avoid making any statements — whether accurate or not — about the racial, ethnic, religious, or ancestral makeup of a neighborhood when soliciting sales or rentals for profit. Operators generally train staff and agents to steer clear of neighborhood demographic commentary in any marketing, canvassing, or solicitation context. Maintaining clear, documented communication practices helps demonstrate that transactions are conducted on lawful, non-discriminatory grounds.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 17-159 gives residents of Effingham protection against being pressured to sell or vacate their homes through fear-based or demographic messaging from profit-motivated actors. If a tenant or homeowner believes they have been subjected to blockbusting tactics, they may consider documenting the communications received and reaching out to a local fair housing organization or tenant-rights group for guidance on available complaint processes. Violations of this provision fall under Effingham's Ch. 17 Art. VI Fair Housing framework, which may provide avenues for reporting to local authorities.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation