Name the seven federally protected classes under the Fair Housing Act.

• A. Race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability
• B. Race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, age
• C. Race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, creed
• D. Race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, gender

Answer: (A)

Under the Fair Housing Act, housing decisions cannot be made based on seven protected characteristics. These are race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. Familial status protects households with children under 18 (and pregnant women), while disability covers individuals with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit major life activities, or those associated with someone who has a disability. The other options insert age, creed, or gender, which are not listed as the federally protected classes under this act. That’s why the correctly listed set is the one that includes race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability.