Protected Classes

Washington Fair Housing — Protected Classes ## Federal Fair Housing Act: The Seven Classes The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on seven protected classes: 1. Race 2. Color 3. National Origin 4. Religion 5. Sex (includes gender) 6. Familial Status (presence of children under 18; pregnancy; custody) 7. Disability These seven classes are the floor — states and localities may add more but cannot remove any. ## Washington Law: Broader Protection Washington's Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60) and the Washington Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) extend fair housing protections significantly beyond the federal seven. Washington-specific additions include: - Marital status — single, married, divorced, separated, widowed - Sexual orientation - Gender expression or gender identity - Honorably discharged veteran or military status - Source of income — including Section 8 housing vouchers (Housing Choice Voucher program) - Creed Source of income protection is especially tested. Washington prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants who hold Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers). A landlord who advertises "no Section 8" is committing housing discrimination under Washington law. ## Prohibited Conduct Both federal and state laws prohibit: - Refusing to sell or rent - Making housing unavailable - Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges - Advertising preferences or limitations - Blockbusting (inducing sales by suggesting protected-class change in neighborhood) - Steering (directing buyers/renters toward or away from areas based on protected characteristics) - Redlining (denying services based on neighborhood demographics) - Retaliating against someone who filed a complaint ## Mrs. Murphy Exemption The federal Fair Housing Act has a narrow exemption for "Mrs. Murphy" situations: an owner-occupied building…