Gender (Sex)

FAIR HOUSING & GENDER (SEX) 

Gender discrimination under fair housing laws includes treating someone differently because they are male or female. It is also illegal for landlords and other housing providers to treat in-place residents differently because of their sex. 

Recent guidance issued by the federal government also protects persons from housing discrimination due to their gender identity under the federal protection of gender. Gender discrimination takes many forms: discrimination due to domestic violence status, discrimination due to gender identity or expression, and sexual harassment.

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WHAT DOES GENDER-BASED HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LOOK LIKE?

• Sexual harassment by the landlord or landlord’s agents or employees.

• Delay or denial of home loans, or less favorable terms, to pregnant women or on maternity leave.

• Taking negative actions against survivors of domestic violence because of the actions of their abusers; (i.e. One-strike-you’re-out policies which unfairly impact survivors of domestic violence by keeping them from being able to reach out for help or assistance.

• Rental criteria (employment, credit, income) have a tendency to disfavor female applicants.

• Having rules or policies applied differently to you due to your gender.

• Advertising that indicates a preference for women or men (it may be legal to advertise for housemates of the same sex when housemates share common living areas)

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If you think you have been the victim of housing discrimination because of your gender, please contact us for assistance.

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