What is the primary purpose of the Fair Housing Act?

The primary purpose of the Fair Housing Act is to prevent discrimination in housing based on certain protected classes. This legislation, enacted in 1968 and amended several times, aims to ensure that individuals have equal access to housing opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. By creating a legal framework that guards against discriminatory practices in buying, renting, and financing homes, the Fair Housing Act seeks to promote equality within the housing market and to eliminate barriers that marginalized communities may face in obtaining housing.

The other options, while related to the real estate industry and its practices, do not capture the essence of the Fair Housing Act's objectives. Promoting fair competition among agents, increasing homeownership rates, and establishing licensing requirements for agents pertain more to the business aspects of real estate rather than the fundamental civil rights issues that the Fair Housing Act addresses. Thus, the correct answer highlights the Act's crucial role in fostering an equitable housing environment.