The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 includes which of the following protected classes?

The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 expanded the scope of the original Fair Housing Act by adding two critical protected classes: disabilities and familial status. This legislation was enacted to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to housing and that families with children are not discriminated against in housing opportunities.

Disability protections encompass a range of physical and mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities, while familial status protection pertains to individuals raising children under the age of 18 or those who are in the process of securing legal custody of a minor.

Understanding these classifications is essential for anyone involved in residential leasing as they underpin the legal obligations to ensure fair treatment in housing markets. Recognizing that age, while certainly a significant demographic factor, is not explicitly covered under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 highlights the specific focus of the law on equality for people with disabilities and families.