Housing Counselor Certification (HUD) Practice Exam

A single, gay, African-American parent with four kids is turned away from a property due to concerns about the kids. Which protected characteristic does this scenario illustrate?

1. Race

2. Familial status

3. Sexual orientation

4. Disability

The correct answer is: Familial status

This scenario highlights the protected characteristic of familial status. Familial status refers to the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household, which encompasses a broad range of discrimination issues related to families with children. The concern about the kids being a reason for turning away the parent illustrates discrimination based on the fact that this individual has a family, specifically that they have four children. While other characteristics such as race and sexual orientation may also be relevant in broader discussions of discrimination, the specific act of being turned away due to having children directly pertains to familial status. In housing law, it is illegal to deny housing to someone based on their familial status, as it protects families with children from discrimination in housing opportunities.