The housing financial discrimination act is set of laws in California regarding discrimination in financial housing practices. Commonly known as the Holden Act, the 1977 anti discrimination act makes it illegal for banks and other financial institutions to discriminate in the "provision and availability" of housing loans being offered. More specifically, financial institutions prohibited from using irrelevant aspects of either the property or individual to make housing loan decisions. Common reasons that constitute housing discrimination include geographic location, neighborhood, as well as information about the individual such as race, religion, age, or disability. In certain cases, however, some reasons can be determined as legal if there is a business related justification for doing so. If lenders act in violation of these laws, there may be penalty in the form of monetary damages.