The City of Lincoln, Missouri has officially joined a broader regional effort to highlight the importance of equal access to housing, as Mayor Glen Nelson signed a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Fair Housing Month.
The proclamation, signed April 17, aligns the city with national recognition of the Fair Housing Act, a landmark law enacted in 1968 to eliminate housing discrimination and promote equal opportunity. The act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status in housing-related activities such as renting, buying, or securing financing.
For Nelson, the reasoning behind signing the proclamation was straightforward.
“Fair housing is something that’s important to any city” Nelson said. “In the past, that hasn’t always been the case. And so to recognize that it’s important is why we do it.”
The effort in Lincoln is part of a wider push led by the West Central Association of Realtors, which has been working to encourage municipalities across Pettis, Benton, Henry, and St. Clair counties to adopt similar proclamations.
Ashley Wooster, the association’s member education and engagement chairperson, said the goal is to raise awareness and reinforce the importance of fair housing practices across communities.
“I think just to bring awareness for the communities. Obviously fair housing is so important, and we do a lot of trainings and things to make sure that we are doing the things the way we’re supposed to be doing it” she explained.
While there is no set number of cities the group hopes to reach, Wooster said the effort is focused on participation and visibility.
“Not necessarily a numerical goal, but I think the more the better” she said. “We want as many people to have the American dream of owning a home, so fair housing is super important.”
The proclamation signed by Nelson echoes those goals, noting that while the Fair Housing Act laid the groundwork more than 50 years ago, discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunity still persist today. It also emphasizes the city’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community where equal housing opportunities are accessible to all residents and prospective residents.
In addition to recognizing the law’s historical significance, the proclamation highlights the broader impact of fair housing, stating that diverse and inclusive communities strengthen the social fabric, economy, health, and environment of a city.
Organizations like the National Association of Realtors and its state and local counterparts continue to support fair housing through policy advocacy, training programs, and guidance to ensure compliance with both the law and professional standards. These efforts aim to expand homeownership opportunities, improve affordability, and address disparities that persist in the housing market.
With Lincoln now among the cities formally recognizing Fair Housing Month, local leaders and housing advocates alike hope the proclamation serves as both a reminder and a call to action.
As Nelson put it, acknowledging fair housing is not just symbolic, but a reflection of how communities should operate.
“It’s just the only way any city should be conducted” he said.
