HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 2-4

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;

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.