A citizen petition will be reviewed by City Council this Tuesday, April 7, that requests Council to consider adopting an amendment to the 2013 Flagstaff Civil Rights Ordinance to prohibit discrimination in housing based on source of income.
This is Agenda Item 13A: Future Agenda Item Request (F.A.I.R).
Council will hear public comment on this item and then vote whether to move this item forward for discussion at a future date. At least three council members must vote in favor of moving this item forward or it will not appear as an agenda item for discussion and consideration in the future.
F3 supports this petition and worked closely with the citizen who submitted it. We believe it is a strong proposal that provides a legal means for cities in Arizona to address discrimination in housing based on a person’s source of income.
Phoenix, Tucson, and recently, Tempe, have passed ordinances that prevent this type of discrimination in housing. Sixteen states and over 100 cities (in 23 states) have also passed such laws.
Source of income discrimination has been practiced legally for decades by some landlords and others across the country who refuse legal income sources to pay for housing. These income sources include low-income housing vouchers (known as Section 8), social security benefits, public assistance, alimony, veterans’ benefits, foster care subsidies, Supplemental Security Income, child support payments, etc. to pay for housing. Source of income discrimination is a leading contributor to housing discrimination according to the National Fair Housing Alliance.
Prohibiting source of income discrimination in housing is supported by Flagstaff’s 10-year Housing Plan (p. 60) which states “Protect 1.3: Explore expanding state and local fair housing protected classes to include items such as age and source of income.”
The benefits of legally not allowing source of income discrimination in Flagstaff could include an expansion in landlords who accept housing vouchers, reduced homelessness, increased housing stability, increased income equality, and additional housing units that are financially accessible to more individuals and families.
Please encourage City Council to vote to move this petition to a full discussion in the future to consider an amendment to Flagstaff’s 2013 Flagstaff Civil Rights Ordinance to prohibit discrimination in housing based on source of income. To do so, you may:
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Email your comments to publiccomment@flagstaffaz.gov, noting Agenda Item 13A;
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Provide in-person comments at City Council on Tuesday, April 7 during discussion of Agenda Item 13A (at the very end of the meeting). City Council meetings start at 3:00 pm in council chambers at City Hall;
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Participate in the Council meeting virtually to provide verbal comments (see the link at the top of the agenda) when this agenda item is discussed.
Thank you,
Michele James
Executive Director
