What is the difference between discrimination and lack of access to credit in fair housing terms?

• A. Discrimination involves unequal treatment based on protected characteristics; lack of access to credit can also be discriminatory if based on protected characteristics.
• B. Discrimination and lack of access to credit are the same concept.
• C. Discrimination only concerns advertising; credit access is not addressed by fair housing laws.
• D. Lack of access to credit is never considered discriminatory.

Answer: (A)

In fair housing terms, discrimination means treating someone differently because of protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. Lack of access to credit can also be discriminatory when the denial or barriers to financing are based on those same protected characteristics, because access to credit influences the ability to obtain housing.

Fair housing laws address both direct discrimination in housing transactions and discriminatory lending practices that limit housing opportunities. For example, denying a loan because of a protected characteristic blocks housing opportunities just as directly discriminatory acts in renting or selling would. Even neutral lending policies can be discriminatory if they disproportionately affect protected groups and lack a legitimate business justification.

So the distinction is that discrimination is unequal treatment tied to protected characteristics, and lack of access to credit becomes discriminatory when that access is denied or restricted on those protected characteristics.