Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following is a protected characteristic?

National origin is a protected characteristic under the Fair Housing Act. This federal legislation prohibits discrimination in housing based on factors such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. The inclusion of national origin as a protected characteristic means that individuals cannot be treated unfavorably in housing-related transactions, such as renting or selling properties, because of their ethnic or national background.

The other characteristics listed, while relevant in other contexts, are not covered under the Fair Housing Act. Employment status and criminal records do not fall within the scope of protected classes identified by the Act. Age, although a protected characteristic under other laws (like the Age Discrimination in Employment Act), is not specifically mentioned in the Fair Housing Act as a category that offers protection from housing discrimination. This highlights the unique focus of the Fair Housing Act on race-related issues and other specific social criteria, making national origin the correct answer in this context.