An old friend is planning to move into a very high-scale assisted living center in the Bay Area of Calif. She has submitted the various proofs of finances sufficient for the cost, taken a tour and found it to be very desirable, and met other requirements.
Now she has been told she has to come out for an interview, and is understandably a bit nervous. What the heck would be the purpose? What might they ask? Although a naturalized citizen, she is Japanese. Could they legally discriminate on this basis?
Anybody have any experience with this? Is it governed by any laws as are questions when applying for a job or housing?
I assume they would not discriminate on the basis of age. 
They’re almost assured to be goverened by HUD - Section 8 (low income), Section 504 (disability), etc.
Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint.
My mother just interviewed for a (somewhat lower scale) assisted living placement. When you apply to such a place you are asserting a minimum level of functionality; you can dress yourself, get around, go to the bathroom. They also want some minimum level of mental acuity. Just as your friend wants to know what she is getting into, so do they.
It’s not age they are trying to discriminate against–it’s the effects of aging. In “assisted” living, there are various levels of assistance: from virtually none, up to full-time nursing care. They want to see how well you function, and how much assistance you will require.
Is this place only for seniors, or do they discriminate against young people?