Housing Discrimination - Updated Protected Classes List - As Applicable to Downstate New York

We are always updating our CE courses at Lieb School because the law is constantly changing. 

While the law changes on every topic, there is no field that seems to be evolving today more than anti-discrimination law. So, we thought it important to share our updated definitive lists of protected classes within downstate New York for Fair Housing and Discrimination Law.

Note - While these lists are similar for employment discrimination law, there are minor differences in protections between the two fields and you should consult with an attorney should you have any questions.

Fair Housing Act:

1. Race
2. Color
3. National origin
4. Religion
5. Sex
6. Familial status
7. Handicap

New York State Human Rights Law: 

1. Race
2. Creed
3. Color
4. National origin
5. Sexual orientation
6. Gender identity or expression (transgender)
7. Military status
8. Sex
9. Age
10. Disability
11. Marital status
12. Lawful source of income
13. Familial status
14. Arrest / sealed conviction record
15. Domestic violence victim status (lease / occupancy only)

New York City Human Rights Law: 

1. Race
2. Creed 
3. Color 
4. National origin 
5. Gender 
6. Age 
7. Disability 
8. Sexual orientation 
9. Uniformed service
10. Marital status 
11. Partnership status 
12. Immigration or citizenship status
13. Lawful source of income 
14. Presence of children 
15. Occupation
16. Victim of domestic violence, stalking or sex offenses

Westchester Fair Housing Law:

1. Race
2. Color
3. Religion
4. Age
5. National origin
6. Alienage or citizenship status
7. Ethnicity
8. Familial status
9. Creed
10. Gender
11. Sexual orientation
12. Marital status 
13. Disability 
14. Source of income
15. Status as victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or stalking

Nassau County Fair Housing (Open Housing): 

1. Race
2. Creed
3. Color
4. Gender
5. Disability
6. Age 
7. Religion
8. Source of income
9. Veteran status 
10. Sexual orientation
11. Familial status 
12. Marital status
13. Ethnicity  
14. National origin
15. First responder status
16. Visible traits of an individual such as natural hair texture, protective hairstyles & donning of religious garments or items and shall include segregation

Suffolk County Human Rights Law:

1. Race
2. Color
3. Creed
4. Age
5. National origin
6. Alienage / citizenship
7. Gender
8. Sexual orientation 
9. Disability
10. Marital status 
11. Sex
12. Familial status
13. Military status 
14. Visible traits of an individual, such as natural hair texture, protective hairstyles & donning of religious garments or items
15. Lawful source of income
16. Veteran status
17. Victim of domestic violence

To remind everyone, the federal law is the floor under which states and locales may not fall. Plus, there are often city / town / village anti-discrimination laws that are also relevant and must be respected in housing.

Discrimination is wrong and should be eliminated through trainings, policies, and lawsuits. As a society, we have to utilize all of the tools in our arsenal to make housing available to everyone irrespective of demographics.

Help us to get the word out on this one. It's important because unless everyone knows the protections, no one is really protected.