Fair Housing for Families with Children

Introduction It is important to raise awareness among community members, tenants, homeowners, landlords and other housing providers about the fair housing rights of families with children under 18 years of age. The Fair Housing Center also provides information about the rights of individuals with other conditions. If you haven't had access to those materials, please contact our office for more information.

Familial Status Discrimination
The definition of family is very broad and includes foster families, grandparents raising children and other less traditional situations. Families expecting children are also protected from illegal housing discrimination based upon familial status. Housing providers may not deny housing opportunities to an individual or family because they have children. Further, they may not have different standards based on the children’s ages. It is also prohibited to restrict families with children to certain floors or areas of a complex or to deny children access to recreational facilities where adults are permitted. Finally, higher rents, security deposits or unreasonably restrictive rules may not be imposed upon families based upon the presence of children in the household.

Some Signs of Possible Discrimination Are:
- A refusal to rent or sell to a family because of the presence of children under the age of 18.
- Having different terms and conditions for you.
- You are not contacted after acceptance of your application.
- A statement that the dwelling is not right for your family.

Don't Let Your Children Be Victims! You shouldn’t just look for another apartment, get another mortgage broker or new insurance agent. If you ignore the housing discrimination because of your familial status it will never stop.
You must report it. It is unlawful that they deny housing to a family because the presence of children under the age of 18. Don’t let your children be victims... Stop it NOW!