Which act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?

• A. 1968 Fair Housing Act
• B. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• C. Americans with Disabilities Act
• D. Equal Housing Opportunity Act

Answer: (A)

Preventing discrimination in housing by ensuring equal access in selling, renting, or financing is the key idea here. The description matches the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which specifically bars treating people differently in housing because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law applies to most housing transactions and to lenders and real estate professionals involved in housing, prohibiting discriminatory practices such as refusing to sell or rent, imposing different terms, or steering buyers or renters based on those protected characteristics. It’s enforced by HUD and through private lawsuits, and while it has been amended to add protections (like for families with children and people with disabilities), its fundamental purpose remains ensuring equal housing opportunities for all.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 covers broader civil rights across many areas, not housing specifically. The Americans with Disabilities Act focuses on disability in areas like employment and public accommodations, not general housing discrimination. The Equal Housing Opportunity Act appears as a related name in some contexts, but the established law that explicitly prohibits discrimination in housing in the scenarios described is the Fair Housing Act of 1968.