Which of these is NOT protected by federal fair housing laws?

Federal fair housing laws are designed to protect individuals from discrimination in housing based on specific characteristics. These characteristics are referred to as "protected classes" and include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability.

The correct answer reflects that a political affiliation, such as being a Democratic party affiliate, is not classified as a protected characteristic under federal fair housing laws. This means that while the law protects individuals from discrimination based on the other options listed—such as religion, national origin, or disability—political affiliations are not included in these protections, making them susceptible to possible discrimination without legal recourse under current housing laws.

In contrast, individuals with medical conditions such as AIDS, members of religious groups like Christians or Muslims, and those from specific national origins, such as being from Northern Ireland or Pakistan, are protected against discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act.