- Fair Housing
- Fair Housing Topics
- What is a Protected Class under the Fair Housing Act?
Protected classes are legally protected characteristics with which people identify. The seven federally protected classes under the Fair Housing Act are race, religion, national origin, color, familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and disability. This means that every state has at least these seven protected classes. Most homes are covered under the Fair Housing Act with few exceptions. The types of housing that are covered include apartments, private homes, nursing homes, dormitories, mobile home parks, homeless shelters, and many other dwellings. This means that discrimination in rentals, home purchases, and other housing-related transactions such as appraisals, homeowners insurance, and mortgage lending are illegal.
While there are seven federally protected classes, both states and municipalities have the ability to identify additional protected classes within their jurisdiction. For example, Pennsylvania has two additional protected classes, which protect people over 40 from discrimination because of their age and users, handlers, and trainers of assistance animals. Cities, townships, and boroughs can also add protected classes. The city of Philadelphia, for example, has fifteen protected classes including source of income. Additional protected classes may be added through legislation.
If you live in Philadelphia, Southeast Pennsylvania or the Lehigh Valley and have experienced discrimination, contact info@equalhousing.org, 866-540-FAIR or report discrimination.
