Final answer:
The Fair Housing Laws aim to prevent discrimination in housing on various bases including disability. However, historical interpretations of 'handicapped' excluded conditions manageable with aids, medication, or in remission. These definitions are evolving, but evidence suggests discrimination in housing still occurs despite these laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fair Housing Laws were enacted to combat discrimination in housing based on race, gender, age, and disability. However, certain individuals may not fall under the traditional definition of "handicapped" as interpreted by the courts. For example, those with conditions that can be mitigated with devices such as hearing aids or artificial limbs, controlled through medication, or are in remission, were historically excluded from the definition of disability. Contemporary understanding, influenced by Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), expands protections but still faces challenges in enforcement.
In the context of prohibiting discrimination, it is essential that these laws are understood broadly to include necessary reasonable accommodations such as accessibility features and policy adjustments in both the workplace and in housing to enable individuals with disabilities to meaningfully access jobs and homes. Yet, it's important to note that historic and ongoing issues such as redlining show evidence that despite legal protections, discrimination persists in housing markets.