Senior Housing (55+ Communities) and Families with Children

Click a topic below to learn more.

Fair Housing or Landlord Tenant?
What is a Protected Class under the Fair Housing Act?
Reasonable Accommodations for People with Disabilities
Reasonable Modifications for People with Disabilities
Assistance Animals for People with Disabilities
New Construction Fair Housing Accessibility Requirements
National Origin Discrimination
Discrimination Against Families with Children
Lead-based Paint and Other “Unsafe” Living Conditions
Occupancy and Families with Children
Children and Use of Community Facilities
Per Capita Charges and Households with Children
Senior Housing (55+ Communities) and Families with Children
Discriminatory Advertising
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
LGBTQ+ Discrimination and HUD Equal Access and Gender Identity Rules
Zoning and Land Use
Homeowners Insurance
Nuisance and Crime-Free Housing Ordinances
Penalties for Fair Housing Violations
Exemptions to the Fair Housing Act

Communities that qualify as housing for older persons are exempt from the prohibition against familial status discrimination if:

The HUD Secretary has determined that it is specifically designed for and occupied by elderly persons under a federal, state or local government program;
It is 100% occupied by persons 62 or older; or
It houses at least one person 55 or older in at least 80% of the occupied units, and adheres to a policy that demonstrates an intent to house persons 55 or older.

If you live in Philadelphia, Southeast Pennsylvania or Lehigh Valley and have questions about familial status discrimination in housing, contact info@equalhousing.org, 866-540-FAIR or complete an online form.

Resources:

Housing Equality Center Families with Children Fact Sheet
HUD Guidance on Implementation of Housing for Older Persons
Memorandum on Converting Housing for Older Persons