Closing the door on housing discrimination
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits, a landlord or housing provider, from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to people based on a protected class — a characteristic that can’t be used to discriminate against or in favor of an individual or group.
Orange County enforces this act through the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance. The Ordinance specifies the following nine protected classes: Race, Color, Sex, National Origin, Familial Status, Religion, Disability, Age (40+), and Veteran Status.
National Fair Housing Month in April increases efforts to end housing discrimination and raises awareness of fair housing rights. The month also remembers the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 and his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. The Fair Housing Act also celebrates its anniversary during April.
