Which of the following groups is NOT protected under federal fair housing laws?

Federal fair housing laws are designed to protect individuals from discrimination based on specific characteristics when it comes to housing. The protected classes under these laws include race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status (which includes families with children), and disability.

College students, as a group, do not fall under these protected classes. Discrimination based on student status is not covered by federal fair housing laws, which means they do not receive the same level of protection against housing discrimination that the other groups listed do. This lack of protection means that landlords, for instance, can choose to lease or not lease to students based on their status as students without violating federal laws.

On the other hand, women, ethnic minorities, and families with minor children all qualify for protections under these laws. Women are protected against discrimination based on sex, ethnic minorities are protected against race and national origin discrimination, and families with minor children are protected under the category of familial status. Recognizing these specifics helps ensure equal access to housing opportunities for all individuals within those protected categories.