The Yellow Springs Village Council is considering legislation that would prohibit housing discrimination based on a renter’s source of income.
In recent years, similar ordinances have been passed by municipalities across Ohio. This legislation makes it illegal for a landlord to turn away a prospective tenant because their rent money comes from a section eight voucher or another rental assistance program.
Debra Lavey, is a senior attorney with the Ohio organization Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. At this week’s Yellow Springs council meeting she said when landlords don’t accept section eight vouchers, it can be viewed as a form of racial discrimination.
“Oftentimes we see that as a way to discriminate based on race quite honestly because a number of people that have vouchers are African American women,” said Lavey.
The council will vote on whether to pass the ordinance later this month.