United States · Fair Housing & Discrimination

Fair Housing & Discrimination requirements in United States

Prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability.

Federal 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq. Effective 4/11/1968

Fair Housing Act

Summary

Prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability.

Details

Applies to substantially all rental housing. Operators must accept reasonable accommodation requests for disabilities. Advertising may not state preference for any protected class.

Penalties & Enforcement

Civil penalties up to $19,787 (first violation), $49,468 (second), $98,935 (third within 7 years), plus actual damages and attorney fees.

Enforced by: HUD; state/local Fair Housing agencies under FHAP

Source

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview

Recent updates

Changes to fair housing & discrimination in United States

Latest proposed and final regulatory updates.

4/15/2026 final

HUD final rule: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing — new portfolio reporting requirement effective Jan 2027.