Which option describes a non-discriminatory screening process under the FHA?

• A. Screening based on protected characteristics.
• B. Requiring identical references for all applicants.
• C. Applying inconsistent criteria across applicants.
• D. Using uniform, non-discriminatory screening processes and not relying on protected characteristics.

Answer: (D)

Under the Fair Housing Act, screening must be uniform and non-discriminatory, using objective criteria that apply equally to everyone and never rely on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. This principle is captured in the option that describes using uniform, non-discriminatory screening processes and not relying on protected characteristics. It reflects the requirement to base decisions on verifiable qualifications—like income, credit history, rental history, and consistent references—applied the same way to all applicants.

The other descriptions miss the mark: basing screening on protected characteristics would violate the FHA; applying inconsistent criteria across applicants leads to unequal treatment; and while requiring identical references for all applicants is rigid, it does not embody the broader guarantee of uniformity and non-discrimination that the FHA mandates.