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Fair housingSubject 9 of 19

Lawful source of income

A New York protected characteristic covering lawful income used to pay for housing, including specified public and private sources.

Direct answer

What does Lawful source of income mean?

A New York protected characteristic covering lawful income used to pay for housing, including specified public and private sources.

Exam cue: A provider may use lawful and consistently applied ability-to-pay standards but may not reject an applicant because income includes a voucher or other protected source.

What does it look like in a question?

New York example

A broker gives the same application service to an applicant using a Section 8 voucher.

Common exam trap

What should you not confuse it with?

Source-of-income protection does not eliminate every neutral screening standard, but the standard must be lawful and applied fairly.

Related fair housing terms

Assistance animalAn animal that works, provides assistance or performs tasks, or provides disability-related emotional support under applicable housing rules.BlockbustingInducing or attempting to induce a sale or rental by suggesting that protected-class entry or change will cause harmful neighborhood effects.Disparate treatmentIntentional or differential treatment of people because of a protected characteristic.Fair housing testingA method of comparing housing experiences using people with matched profiles to identify possible discrimination.Familial statusA federal fair housing protection covering households with one or more children under 18 in specified custody or expected-child situations.Implicit biasAttitudes or associations that can affect judgment without conscious intent.
Sources used4 references with section locators

The curriculum citation confirms exam scope. Definition and rule citations support the explanation itself. Links and locators were checked on August 26, 2026.

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