What constitutes unlawful discrimination in housing in Delaware?

In Delaware, unlawful discrimination in housing is defined by various laws that protect specific characteristics of individuals from being used as a basis for adverse housing decisions. The correct answer highlights discrimination based on race, color, religion, and other protected characteristics, including national origin, familial status, sex, disability, and sexual orientation. These protections are rooted in both federal law, like the Fair Housing Act, and Delaware state law, which emphasize the importance of ensuring equal access to housing opportunities.

Discrimination against individuals based on these protected classes is illegal and can manifest in various forms, such as denying someone housing based on their race or asking for different terms or conditions based on religion. The intention behind these provisions is to create a fair housing environment where individuals are judged on their merits as tenants rather than attributes unrelated to their abilities as responsible renters.

The other options, while they may touch on important housing issues, do not fall under the umbrella of unlawful discrimination as defined by Delaware law. For example, bias based on economic status is not considered a protected characteristic, meaning landlords may legally set income requirements or criteria related to a tenant's financial situation. Similarly, exclusion based solely on criminal background is subject to legal scrutiny but is not inherently unlawful discrimination unless it disproportionately impacts a protected class