Advocacy Action Alert: Fair Housing Protections

Alex Kontras | April 2023 

Introduction 

Source of Income protection bills have been introduced in both chambers of the Michigan Legislature. Source of Income protections generally prohibit landlords, property managers, real estate agents, and other actors in the housing sector from discriminating against households who utilize housing assistance programs or other legal and verifiable sources of income, such as child support and alimony. Read on to learn more about the bills that have been introduced, why they are important, and how you can voice your support.  

Background and Context 

Fair housing laws protect renters and home buyers against discrimination based on certain factors, such as race, gender, or disability. One factor that is not universally protected is Source of Income. Housing discrimination based on the source of income a household uses to pay for their housing is currently permitted under Michigan state law. Landlords are legally permitted, for instance, to refuse to rent to households that participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Laws that prohibit discrimination based on Source of Income require actors in the housing sector to treat households the same, regardless of where their payments are coming from. While Source of Income is not protected by Michigan state law, some local governments in Michigan have enacted protections, including Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming, Mich. However, these ordinances suffer from a lack of, or sporadic enforcement, by the municipalities. 

Strategy & Alignment with Universal Goals

Source of Income discrimination should be prohibited at the state level to ensure greater fairness and increase the effectiveness of the few tools we have to assist households who earn low incomes. Studies have shown that Source of Income protections improve outcomes for housing voucher holders, particularly among populations that have historically experienced greater housing discrimination, such as households with children and Black households. 

Housing Kent and the Housing Stability Alliance work to ensure every household in Kent County has safe, affordable, and high-quality housing in the neighborhoods of their choosing by dissolving homelessness, eliminating racial disparities in housing outcomes, and increasing affordable housing. When stigmas and unfair assumptions about families who rely on housing assistance programs create barriers to access housing, our housing system misses an opportunity for equity and family choice by prioritizing the preferences of property owners. Finding an apartment unit that accepts a voucher can be a lengthy and frustrating process, often prolonging traumatic experiences of homelessness. In many cases, voucher holders lose the voucher altogether because the search time exceeds set limits–typically 60 days.

Call to Action 

The following bills have been introduced in the Michigan Legislature. These bills add Source of Income protections to state law and empower Fair Housing Centers to enforce compliance.  

Senate Bill: SB 0207 of 2023 

• Civil rights: housing discrimination; housing discrimination based on Source of Income; prohibit. Amends title & sec. 502 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2502). 
• Referred to Committee on Housing and Human Services 

House Bill: HB 4063 of 2023 

• Civil rights: housing discrimination; housing discrimination based on Source of Income; prohibit. Amends title & sec. 502 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2502). 
• Referred to Committee on Judiciary  

To support these bills: 

• Sign on to Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness’ letter of support.
• To support Senate Bill 0207 of 2023, email Heather Dorbeck, clerk of the Housing and Human Services Committee (ofcscc@senate.michigan.gov). You may also include your state senator and/or members of the committee.
• To support House Bill: HB 4063 of 2023, email Melissa Sweet, clerk of the House Judiciary Committee (msweet@house.mi.gov). You may also include your house representative and/or members of the committee.

Resources and Additional Information 

• Local Housing Solutions provides an overview of source of income laws, including research and resources for further reading. 
• Other bills have been introduced besides the two noted above. Some amend landlord-tenant legislation as opposed to civil rights legislation. See below for a comprehensive list of bills introduced regarding Source of Income discrimination.