In fair housing terminology, which term refers to a condition that substantially limits major life activities?

• A. Handicap
• B. Disability
• C. Impairment
• D. Medical condition

Answer: (A)

Handicap is the term used in fair housing to describe a condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Under the Fair Housing Act, handicap refers to a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities, or a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. This is the specific language of FHA, distinguishing it from broader terms like disability (more common in the ADA and other contexts) or impairment (the medical condition itself) or medical condition (which is not the FHA term). Understanding this helps explain why a housing action is protected: the focus is on the impact of the condition on major life activities and the corresponding protections against discrimination and the need for reasonable accommodations.