Executive Order 11063 facts for kids

Executive Order 11063 was a very important rule signed by President John F. Kennedy on November 20, 1962. This order made it against the law to treat people unfairly when they wanted to buy, rent, or live in homes that were built or supported by the United States government. It helped stop segregation in housing that received money from the government.

What Was Executive Order 11063?

Executive Order 11063 was a special command from the President. It said that no one should be treated differently because of their race, color, religion, or national origin when it came to housing. This rule applied to homes and buildings that the government owned or helped pay for.

Why Was This Order Needed?

Before this order, many people faced unfair treatment when trying to find a place to live. Some landlords or sellers would refuse to rent or sell homes to people based on their race. This was a big problem, especially for African Americans, who often had fewer choices for good housing.

What is Segregation?

Segregation means keeping different groups of people separate. In the United States, there was a long history of racial segregation. This meant that Black people were often forced to live in different neighborhoods, go to different schools, and use different public places than white people. Executive Order 11063 aimed to end this separation in housing.

Who Signed the Order?

The order was signed by John F. Kennedy, who was the President of the United States at that time. He was a key leader during the Civil rights movement, a time when many people worked hard to gain equal rights for all Americans.

John F. Kennedy's Role

President Kennedy believed that everyone should have fair opportunities. By signing Executive Order 11063, he used his power as President to fight against unfair housing practices. This was one step in a larger effort to make sure all citizens were treated equally under the law.

What Did the Order Change?

This order made it illegal to discriminate in housing that was connected to the federal government. This included homes built with federal loans or managed by federal agencies. It meant that if you were looking for a home that received government support, you could not be turned away because of your race.

Fair Housing for Everyone

Executive Order 11063 was an important step towards fair housing for everyone. It helped to open up more housing options for people who had been discriminated against. While it didn't solve all housing problems, it laid important groundwork for future laws that would further protect people's right to fair housing.