General Provisions

• A. Federal civil rights laws addressing fair housing prohibit discrimination against applicants or tenants based on one or more of the following classifications:

  1. Race;

  2. Color;

  3. National origin;

  4. Sex;

  5. Age;

HUD Occupancy Handbook Chapter 2: Civil Rights and Nondiscrimination Requirements

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Section 2: Nondiscrimination Requirements Under the Fair Housing Act

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6. Disability;

7. Religion; and

8. Familial status.

NOTE: Familial status refers to families living with children under the age of 18, regardless of age or number of children. Familial status also includes pregnant women, families that are planning to adopt, and families that have or are planning to have foster children or to become guardians of children.

• B. There are multiple laws that address the rights of tenants in HUD-subsidized multifamily housing. The remaining paragraphs in this section provide brief descriptions of the key federal civil rights laws regarding fair housing and accessibility that pertain to HUD-subsidized multifamily housing, along with reference to their implementing regulations. Throughout this handbook, reference is made to applicable civil rights and nondiscrimination requirements with respect to key admissions and occupancy activities in HUD subsidized multifamily housing.

• C. Owners must be familiar with the regulations implementing these civil rights laws regarding fair housing and program accessibility, and with the applicable HUD Notices explaining those requirements. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) also provides technical assistance on these requirements.

• D.

• Other applicable laws and regulations include the following:

1. Any state civil rights laws or local ordinances pertaining to housing; and

Note: Owners may be subject to local and/or state laws that prohibit discrimination based upon membership in other classes (e.g., marital status or sexual orientation).

2. Any other legislation protecting the individual rights of tenants, applicants, or staff that may subsequently be enacted.