Which of the following is NOT a protected characteristic under fair housing laws?

Under fair housing laws, protected characteristics are defined to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against in housing based on inherent traits or beliefs. The correct choice in this scenario is age, as it is not considered a protected characteristic under federal fair housing laws, such as the Fair Housing Act.

The Fair Housing Act primarily addresses discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. While age may be a factor in certain contexts, such as under senior housing regulations or for specific programs, it does not fall under the broad protections outlined in the Fair Housing Act. Therefore, housing discrimination based solely on age is usually not covered by federal law, which distinguishes it from the other listed characteristics that are explicitly protected to ensure equitable treatment in housing opportunities.