Which act added familial status and disability to the protected classes of the Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 amended the original Fair Housing Act, which was established in 1968. This amendment was significant because it expanded the list of protected classes to include both familial status and disability. Familial status refers to the presence of children under the age of 18 living with a parent or guardian, thereby protecting families with children from discrimination. Disability protections ensure that individuals with physical or mental impairments have equal access to housing opportunities.

The addition of these two classes reflected a growing recognition of the need to protect more vulnerable populations in housing transactions. This was a pivotal change in the scope of the Fair Housing Act, aiming to create a more inclusive environment in housing markets across the United States.

In contrast, the Fair Housing Enhancements Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Equal Housing Opportunity Act do not specifically add these protections. The Fair Housing Enhancements Act primarily focused on strengthening existing protections rather than adding new ones, the Americans with Disabilities Act addresses broader disability rights beyond housing, and the Equal Housing Opportunity Act is a concept that promotes fair housing but does not create new legal protections.