Fair housing refers to practices that comply with the federal Fair Housing Act, originally passed in 1968, and similar state and local laws. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1998 is intended to strengthen enforcement of Fair Housing requirements by extending to persons with disabilities and to families with children the same kinds of nondiscrimination protections afforded to persons based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Thus, the Fair Housing Act protects persons with disabilities from discrimination in any activities relating to the sale or rental of dwellings, in the provision of services or facilities in connection with such dwellings, and in the availability of residential real estate related transactions.