Federal, state, and local fair housing laws protect against illegal housing discrimination based on “protected class status” in any housing transaction and, in fact, any housing situation. Federally Protected Classes include:
race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, and disability
State Protected Classes include:
marital status (OR and WA), source of income (OR), sexual or
ientation including gender identity (OR and WA), honorably discharged veterans / military status (WA), and domestic violence victims (OR and WA). Fair Housing Laws apply to:
-individual homes, duplexes, multifamily housing (apartments, condos, and townhomes), retirement housing, adult foster homes and longterm care facilities, homeless shelters and other nonprofit housing, etc.
-sales, rentals, mortgage lending, building and construction, home insurance, appraisals, and inspections, as well as neighbor-on-neighbor harassment. We staff a free Fair Housing Hotline (800/424-3247 Ext. 2) to assist those with fair housing questions and accept reports of fair housing violations. We also offer a growing array of classes, guidebooks, and other reference materials tailor-made to the various facets of the housing market and others, such as the general public and jurisdictions, all of whom need to be informed of their fair housing rights and responsibilities.
