DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (DC) FAIR HOUSING 2023
DC Human Rights Act
In accordance with the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, the District of Columbia and housing providers cannot discriminate on the basis of (actual or perceived):
- Race
- Color
- Sex (including pregnancy)
- National Origin
- Religion
- Age
- Marital Status
- Personal Appearance
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity or Expression
- Familial Status
- Family Responsibilities
- Matriculation
- Political Affiliation
- Disability
- Source of Income
- Victim of an Intra-Family Offense
- Place of Residence or Business
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above categories is also prohibited by the Act.
It is unlawful for any person to practice discrimination in the rental or sale of housing accommodations and commercial space in the District of Columbia on the basis of the above categories.
Similar prohibitions apply to “blockbusting,” “steering,” and financing.
Examples of Illegal Discrimination
In the District, it is illegal to:
- Refuse housing to someone because of one of the traits;
- Make housing unavailable to any person because of their traits;
- Advertise a preference or dislike for a group because of their traits;
- Falsely tell someone housing is unavailable because of their traits;
- Establish different terms or conditions because of their traits;
- Provide different housing, units or services (such as repairs) because of particular traits;
- Urge someone to move to a specific area because of their traits;
- Persuade owners to sell because people of a particular traits are moving into the neighborhood;
- Refuse to make a loan because of a person’s traits;
- Provide inaccurate or different information depending on the traits; or
- Retaliate against someone for filling a complaint or acting as a witness.
