The Fair Housing Act of 1968 (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act) prohibits discrimination in housing-related transactions and targets discriminatory practices including blockbusting (inducing sales by suggesting the entry of protected classes), steering (directing clients to or from areas based on protected characteristics), and redlining (denying or varying terms for loans or insurance based on neighborhood demographics).

Marital status, sexual orientation, and source of income are not federal protected classes in the 1968 Act’s original text; however, Maryland law provides broader protections at the state level.

References (Maryland Pre-Licensing Core Content):

Maryland 60-Hour Course: “Fair Housing and Ethics” (federal protected classes; prohibited practices—blockbusting, steering, redlining).

Federal Fair Housing Act (Title VIII) concepts as taught in the Maryland curriculum; Maryland Human Relations Law adds state protections.