Which housing type is typically exempt from familial status protections?

• A. Housing exclusively for 62+ residents
• B. Housing designed for families with children
• C. Housing with no restrictions on age
• D. Housing for persons with disabilities

Answer: (A)

Familial status protections under fair housing law have an exception for housing that is specifically designed for older persons. When a property is marketed and operated as housing for older adults and meets the age criteria (such as residents being 62 or older), it can restrict occupancy to seniors and thus may exclude families with children. That’s why housing exclusively for 62+ residents is typically exempt: its purpose is to serve a senior population, so the usual protections against discriminating based on whether there are children in the household don’t apply in the same way.

The other options don’t fit this exemption. Housing designed for families with children is exactly where familial status protections apply, preventing discrimination based on the presence of children. A setting with no age restrictions isn’t protected by this exemption, so it would still need to comply with familial status rules. And housing for persons with disabilities is covered by disability protections, not by the senior-exemption, so it isn’t exempt from familial status in the same way.

So, the type that’s typically exempt is housing exclusively intended for residents aged 62 and older.