Fair Housing Law is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status, or national origin in the selling or renting of homes and apartments.
Familial status refers to a characteristic determined by a person's household type, such as marriage and existing or prospective children. It is a key term under the Fair Housing Law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, aimed at prohibiting discrimination against individuals under 18 living with a parent or legal guardian, as well as pregnant women.
Open housing refers to the condition under which housing units may be purchased or leased without regard for such factors as the ethnic or religious characteristics of the buyers or tenants, ensuring equal housing opportunities for all.
