Which law prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, or religion?

• A. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• B. Civil Rights Act of 1866
• C. Fair Housing Act of 1968
• D. 14th Amendment

Answer: (C)

Discrimination in housing based on race or religion is addressed directly by the Fair Housing Act of 1968. This law makes it illegal to refuse to sell or rent housing, or to impose different terms, conditions, or privileges for housing, because of race, color, religion, and other protected characteristics. It also extends to advertising, financing, and brokerage to ensure equal access to housing for all. Other laws in the field provide broader civil rights protections or address housing in a less direct way—such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in public accommodations and employment; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracts including real estate transactions; and the 14th Amendment, a constitutional guarantee of equal protection. But the Fair Housing Act is the specific law that directly targets housing discrimination.