What is the purpose of the Fair Housing Act?

The Fair Housing Act is designed specifically to prohibit discrimination in housing based on certain protected classes, which include race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This legislation was established to promote equality and ensure that everyone has access to housing opportunities without facing unfair treatment or barriers due to these characteristics. The primary goal of the Act is to create a level playing field in the housing market, allowing individuals to make choices about where they live based on their needs, preferences, and financial capacity rather than being limited by discriminatory practices.

In terms of the other potential answers, while promoting homeownership, preventing zoning discrimination, and regulating fees in the real estate sector are important aspects of housing policy and practices, they do not specifically encapsulate the central tenet of the Fair Housing Act, which is focused on preventing discrimination.