Which category is NOT protected by the Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing practices based on specific characteristics. Among those characteristics, race, religion, and gender are explicitly protected categories. The Act aims to ensure that individuals have equal access to housing and that they cannot be discriminated against based on these factors.

Housing affordability, while a crucial aspect of housing policy and advocacy, is not included as a protected category under the Fair Housing Act. This means that while the law prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, or gender, it does not provide protections against discrimination related to a person's financial ability to afford housing or their economic status. Decisions made by landlords or property managers regarding rental rates or availability based on someone's financial situation are not regulated by the Fair Housing Act, highlighting the crucial distinction that leads to the correct answer.

Understanding this distinction is important for property managers and landlords to ensure compliance with federal regulations while also recognizing the limitations of the Act in addressing broader economic issues within the housing market.