Fair Housing Act would ban LGBTQ+ housing bias

What does this do?

This bill would update the federal Fair Housing Act to make it illegal to discriminate against someone in housing because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It also covers discrimination based on who a person is associated with, such as a spouse or roommate, and discrimination based on a mistaken belief about someone's identity. It would also be illegal to threaten or intimidate someone for exercising these fair housing rights.

Who does it affect?

The bill would apply to anyone involved in housing, including landlords, sellers, lenders, and real estate agents. It would affect LGBTQ+ individuals and anyone else who might face housing discrimination based on perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.

Why does it matter?

Without this bill, sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly protected under the federal Fair Housing Act, meaning people in those situations may have limited legal options if they face housing discrimination. Adding these categories would give affected individuals a federal legal path to challenge such discrimination.

Where does it stand?