
Fair housing is essential to ensuring that individuals and families have equal access to housing opportunities, free from discrimination. In cities like Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR, fair housing laws protect renters, homebuyers, and property managers from discriminatory practices. This blog provides an overview of the key fair housing laws in these cities and outlines how both tenants and landlords can ensure compliance.
What Is Fair Housing?
Fair housing refers to laws designed to protect individuals from discrimination when renting, buying, or securing financing for housing. Rooted in the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, these laws ensure equal opportunities for individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.
Overview of Fair Housing Laws in the U.S.

The Fair Housing Act is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, making it illegal to discriminate in housing-related activities. This law has been instrumental in addressing systemic inequities in housing access across the country. For example:
In 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) processed over 8,000 discrimination complaints, demonstrating the ongoing need for these protections.
The Importance of Fair Housing
Fair housing laws are designed to protect the right of all individuals to secure housing without facing discrimination. This is essential not just for fostering equality, but also for building inclusive and diverse communities. Fair housing ensures that everyone, regardless of their race, sex, religion, disability, or family status, has the opportunity to live where they choose. This helps combat systemic inequality and ensures that individuals have the freedom to pursue their housing needs without unnecessary barriers.
How Next Brick Ensures Compliance
At NextBrick, we take fair housing laws very seriously. As a property management company in the Vancouver and Portland markets, we ensure that all properties we manage are in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Our commitment includes:
Training our staff regularly on the latest fair housing laws and regulations to avoid unintentional violations.
Implementing clear and fair policies for application and screening processes, ensuring that no individual is unfairly discriminated against.
Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA)
The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, is a cornerstone of housing discrimination law in the U.S. It prohibits discrimination in housing based on the following protected classes:
Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Familial Status (presence of children under 18), Disability
Both Vancouver and Portland follow these federal guidelines. However, each city and state has additional provisions to further protect residents.
Key Fair Housing Provisions (Washington and Oregon Housing Laws)

Both Washington State and Oregon State have their own fair housing regulations that landlords, property managers, and residents must follow. Below are some of the critical fair housing protections in each state:
Washington State Fair Housing Laws (Vancouver, WA)
In Washington, the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD)Â is the key piece of legislation governing fair housing practices. Some of its critical provisions include:
Disability Accommodations: Under WLAD, individuals with disabilities have the right to request reasonable accommodations (e.g., installing a wheelchair ramp) or modifications (e.g., changing door widths or adding grab bars). This law ensures equal access to housing for disabled individuals and requires landlords to make reasonable adjustments to the physical structure of a property.
Protections Against Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Washington law explicitly prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, expanding beyond the federal Fair Housing Act.
Familial Status Protections: Washington law protects families with children under 18 from being denied housing based solely on the presence of minors in the household.
Criminal History and Rental Applications: While not a blanket prohibition, Washington has specific guidelines limiting the use of criminal history in housing decisions, aiming to reduce discrimination based on past convictions.
Oregon State Fair Housing Laws (Portland, OR)
Similarly, Oregon has its own robust set of fair housing regulations, primarily governed by the Oregon Fair Housing Act. Some notable provisions include:
Source of Income Protections: One of the most significant protections in Oregon is the prohibition against discrimination based on the source of income. This includes individuals relying on housing vouchers (such as Section 8), disability benefits, or other forms of public assistance. Landlords cannot refuse rental applications or charge higher rents based on a tenant’s source of income.
HIV Status: Oregon law prohibits discrimination against individuals based on HIV status. This protection ensures that individuals with HIV are not excluded from housing opportunities or treated unfairly due to their medical condition.
Disability Protections: Oregon also provides additional protections for individuals with disabilities, including the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications to make housing more accessible. This law is aligned with federal regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Familial Status and Children’s Rights: Just like Washington, Oregon law prohibits discrimination based on familial status. This means that families with children under 18 cannot be denied housing or subjected to discriminatory rental terms.
Landlord-Tenant Relations: Oregon also has strong tenant protections, including limits on rental application fees and security deposit regulations that ensure fairness in rental transactions.
Who Must Comply with Fair Housing Laws?
Fair housing laws apply to various entities involved in housing transactions. This includes:
Landlords and property managers: Both private and public property owners must comply with these laws when renting or selling housing.
Real estate agents and brokers: Real estate professionals must ensure that no discriminatory practices are involved in the housing search or transactions.
Banks and lenders: Any financial institution involved in lending for housing must also adhere to fair housing principles.
Insurance companies: Insurers offering policies related to housing must not engage in discriminatory practices.
Exemptions to Fair Housing Laws
While fair housing laws protect the vast majority of housing transactions, certain exemptions exist. In Washington and Oregon, exemptions might include:
Owner-occupied buildings: In some cases, owners renting out a portion of their own homes (such as a duplex or triplex) may be exempt.
Religious organizations: Religious institutions may have some flexibility in hiring staff or renting housing, provided their policies are in alignment with their beliefs.
Private clubs or housing exclusively for seniors: These types of housing may have exemptions related to family status protections.
However, even with these exemptions, discriminatory practices are still illegal in many cases, and all landlords must be cautious about applying exemptions.
Penalties for Violating Fair Housing Laws
Violations of fair housing laws can result in substantial penalties. These can include:
Monetary fines: Landlords or property managers found guilty of discrimination may face significant fines.
Civil lawsuits: Individuals who experience discrimination can sue for damages, which may include compensation for emotional distress, attorney fees, and other related costs.
Injunctions or orders: Courts may order the violator to cease discriminatory practices or even take steps to correct past violations (e.g., renting to those who were previously discriminated against).
Loss of licenses: In some cases, real estate professionals or landlords may lose their operating licenses or certifications.
Consulting with legal experts to stay up-to-date with changing laws and best practices for fair housing compliance.
How Next Brick Supports Fair Housing Compliance
We’re proud to support fair housing compliance in every aspect of our operations. Whether you are a property owner, manager, or renter, Next Brick provides resources to help navigate these laws and ensure that all parties are treated fairly. We also offer educational materials for both tenants and landlords, helping to foster awareness of fair housing rights and responsibilities.
By adhering to fair housing principles, NextBrick promotes an inclusive, safe, and welcoming housing environment for all. We are committed to making the housing experience as equitable as possible for everyone in Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR.
FAQ’s About Fair Housing Laws:
1. Can a landlord refuse to rent to someone based on their source of income in Portland or Vancouver?
Portland:Â No, Oregon law explicitly protects renters from discrimination based on their source of income. This includes rental assistance programs like Section 8 vouchers, disability benefits, and other legal sources of income.
Vancouver: Washington law does not have explicit statewide protections for income-based discrimination, but certain local ordinances and fair housing policies may apply. It's always best for landlords to apply uniform screening criteria for all applicants.
2. Are landlords required to make modifications for tenants with disabilities?
Yes, under both federal law (Fair Housing Act) and state laws (Washington Law Against Discrimination and Oregon Fair Housing Act), landlords must allow reasonable modifications and reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities.
Examples include installing grab bars, ramps, or widening doorways. In most cases, tenants are responsible for covering the costs of modifications unless the property is federally funded.
3. Can a landlord deny housing to a family with children?
No, familial status is a protected class under the Fair Housing Act, Washington Law Against Discrimination, and Oregon Fair Housing Act. Landlords cannot refuse to rent to families with children, nor can they impose "adults-only" policies (except in designated senior housing communities).
4. What should I do if I believe I’ve experienced housing discrimination?
If you believe you’ve been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the following agencies:
Washington State:Â Contact the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC)
Oregon State:Â File a complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
Federal Complaints:Â You can also file a complaint with HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).
5. Are there any exemptions to fair housing laws in Vancouver and Portland?
Yes, there are limited exemptions, including:
Owner-occupied homes: If a landlord is renting out a unit in a property where they live (e.g., a duplex), some fair housing laws may not apply.
Religious organizations: Religious institutions renting housing may have certain exemptions, as long as they do not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.
Senior housing communities: Properties designated for 55+ or 62+ communities are allowed to restrict occupancy to older adults.