Under the Fair Housing Act, which demographic characteristic is NOT considered a protected class?

The Fair Housing Act was established to eliminate discrimination in housing based on certain demographic characteristics, known as protected classes. These include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. Income level, however, is not recognized as a protected class under this act. This means that while individuals cannot be discriminated against based on ethnicity, gender, religion, or family status when applying for housing, they can legally face different treatment based on their income or economic status. Understanding the limitations of the Fair Housing Act helps to clarify the rights of individuals in housing situations and the responsibilities that landlords and housing providers have to avoid discriminatory practices.