A graphic of a house that reads, "Fair housing protected characteristics. Race, Color, National origin, Family status, Religion, Disability, and Sex."

Fair Housing Act protected characteristics

Under the Fair Housing Act, there are seven federally protected characteristics:

  • Race
  • Color
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Disability
  • Familial status (having children under 18 in the household or pregnancy)
  • National origin

This means that it’s illegal to discriminate against or deny someone housing based on any of these protected characteristics. The Fair Housing Act applies to the rental or sale of most types of housing and housing transactions, including private rentals, subsidized rentals, mobile homes, homebuying, mortgages, real estate listing services, nursing homes, homeless shelters, and more.  

Are you facing housing discrimination? Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) might be able to help. Apply online at MontanaLawHelp.org or contact our Helpline at 1-800-666-6899, Tuesday through Thursday, from 9am to 1pm.

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[Image description: A graphic of a blue house with text above that reads, “Fair housing protected characteristics.” Within the house are the words Race, Color, National origin, Family status, Religion, Disability, and Sex.” MLSA’s logo is above the left side of the roof.]