Legislation
Statutes That Protect Against Disability Discrimination
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)
- American’s with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (Fair Housing Act or FHA)
- Louisiana Open Housing Law
- Local Laws
Section 504
- Illegal to discriminate in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
- Includes Public Housing, Section 8 project –based housing
- Does not include private housing with tenant using a Section 8 Voucher
ADA
- Sweeping protections for people with disabilities in areas of employment, public services, and public accommodations
- Does not cover privately owned housing, but can be applied in certain landlord situations
- Public Accommodations
- If rental office in an apartment complex is not accessible
- Housing that is not permanent such as hotels and shelters may not be covered under the FHA but would be under the ADA\
- Public Services
- Housing that receives financial assistance from local governments, but not the federal government
Fair Housing Act
- Illegal to discriminate in housing based on race, color, national origin, and religion (1968)
- 1974 sex was added
- 1988 amendments added familial status and disability
- Broadest fair housing statute
Louisiana Open Housing Law
- Equivalent to FHA
- Includes the same 7 protected classes of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability
Local Laws
- Orleans Parish
- Adds four protected classes; sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, and age