Do senior citizen apartments violate equal/fair housing?

Question

Okay, I thought that landlords/apartment owners weren't allowed to discriminate when it comes to tenants [who lives there]. If a senior citizen community 'requires' that you be at least 55 years old in order to live there, isn't that discrimination, and doesn't it violate equal/fair housing guidelines?

Why can a seniors' apartment complex refuse to rent to young adults, but if a normal complex were to tell a 60 year old that he can't rent an apartment, it's discrimination?

Answer 1

The senior apartment get subsidies from the government when the complex is built and title for senior people only.  Usually the complex is required to equipped with elevator and extra handles which designed for seniors. They're not only have age limit but also income limit requirement. Just as some complex built for low income families. There certain law and regulations for these kind of complexes and they're exempt from discrimination charge.

Answer 2

No, it doesn't. I suggest you do more reading.

Answer 3

No, it doesn't violate fair housing guidelines and it's not discrimination.  Congress enacted legislation allowing for senior communities without violating fair housing guidelines.

Answer 4

.  You are correct.  If the "seniors" complex does not follow the rules perfectly, they will lose the right to refuse to young people.  That is what happened at my grandfather's complex.  

Congress voted a law saying that it is legal to have "over 55" complexes.

Answer 5

They do allow a few "under 55" in.  And that is what allows them to avoid the discrimination factor.  They are picky about who they let in though.

Answer 6

I have asked this question many times, and although I know that seniors do need cheap housing because they are on a fixed income...so do young people! especialy with the raising rents. the rent is going up but not our paycheck.

Answer 7

The fair housing laws gave developers/owners the right to have senior complexes.