To obtain a favorable judgment, a complainant in a discrimination case under the federal Fair Housing Act must prove:

While damages may be a relevant aspect of a discrimination case, simply proving that damages occurred does not satisfy the requirement to establish discrimination under the Fair Housing Act. The focus is on the act of discrimination itself, rather than the consequences that stem from it.

Proving that discrimination occurred is a critical component of the case; however, it is insufficient on its own for a favorable judgment. The complainant must also provide evidence that the discrimination was not justified, which is essential to meet the legal standards of the Fair Housing Act.

Intent to discriminate is not a necessary criterion for proving a case under the Fair Housing Act. The law encompasses both intentional discrimination and practices that have a discriminatory effect, allowing complainants to succeed without needing to demonstrate the accused party's intent.