After being passed in 1978, California's Housing Financial Discrimination Act prohibits lending discrimination from taking place during the housing process. According to this law, financial institutions cannot unlawfully discriminate against individuals who are seeking real estate loans. Unlawful discrimination includes race, age, religion, sex, origin, marital status, or disability. Additionally, the neighborhood where the housing is located or any other characteristics of the property cannot come into play. In short, loans can only be denied on the basis of business-related or financial reasons, such as lack of credit an inadequate salary. Financial institutions that are found guilty of lending discrimination may be forced to provide lending in addition to paying damages. But in order for legal ramifications to occur, a complaint must be lodged, and court action may also be needed.