Leasing License Practice Exam

The Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 includes which of the following protected classes?

1. Gender and Race

2. Disabilities and Familial Status

3. Employment Status and Age

4. Marital Status and Religion

The correct answer is: Disabilities and Familial Status

The Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 expanded the protections of the original Fair Housing Act to include two significant protected classes: disabilities and familial status. This legislation was a critical step in promoting equal housing opportunities and prohibiting discrimination in housing-related activities. Disabilities protection means that landlords cannot refuse to rent to individuals based on their physical or mental impairments. This includes the requirement to make reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to housing. Familial status protection prohibits discrimination against individuals with children, which means landlords cannot deny housing to families simply because they have children under the age of 18. The other options listed do not reflect the classes protected under the Fair Housing Amendment Act. While gender, race, and religion are indeed protected categories under the original Fair Housing Act, they were not newly added or specifically called out in the 1988 amendment. Employment status and age are not included as protected classes under any federal fair housing law. Similarly, marital status does not have federal protection under the Fair Housing Act. Thus, recognizing disabilities and familial status as protected classes is fundamental to understanding the protections provided by the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988.