Final answer:
The federal Fair Housing Act would find requiring an extra security deposit based on a tenant's national origin to be illegal. Discrimination persists in the housing market, as evidenced by minorities receiving fewer housing opportunities and undergoing stricter credit checks than white renters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fair Housing Act of 1968, also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1968, was implemented to ban discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Among the scenarios presented, the federal Fair Housing Act would find requiring an extra security deposit, because of a tenant's national origin, to be illegal. The Act was designed to protect individuals from differential treatment based on certain protected characteristics. Though exemptions for owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units exist, discrimination based on national origin is not permissible in any circumstance.
It is important to note that discrimination in the housing market is not just a past issue. Studies show that discrimination persists in various forms. For instance, realtors have shown Black homebuyers 18 percent fewer homes and Asian homebuyers 19 percent fewer properties as compared to White homebuyers. Additionally, Hispanics face more discrimination in renting and are subjected to stricter credit checks than White renters. While explicit "door slamming" discrimination has declined, subtler forms continue to affect minority groups and hinder their opportunities for fair housing and associated benefits like access to good schools and employment.