In Philadelphia, landlords who turn up their noses at renters' government-issued checks could find themselves on the wrong side of the law. A "source of income" protection in the City of Philadelphia's Fair Practices Ordinance (FPO) means that veterans like Lynette and her sister, who faced rejection because they couldn't provide paystubs from a current job, are seeing a push to uphold their rights, Philadelphia's official website reports.
This protection measure in question aims to discriminate against those relying on non-traditional forms of income, including those returning from military service, who may be depending on government assistance while in transition. A source of income discrimination can look like a landlord refusing to consider housing vouchers or other governmental financial assistance as valid income, a practice that's been creating barriers for low and moderate-income individuals and families.
Landlords who have been caught excluding would-be tenants over their income source have sparked legal pushback. Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR), Kia Ghee, emphasized the harmful impact of these discriminatory practices, saying, "When property owners refuse to rent, sell or lease to families who utilize housing vouchers, they are engaging in unlawful conduct that is a direct violation of the FPO.”
Philadelphia's push to protect all forms of income has already scored wins for victims of such housing discrimination. Over the past five years, the PCHR has received multiple complaints and has successfully slapped over $20,000 in damages and penalties on prejudiced property purveyors.
The FPO also mandates that guilty landlords get up to speed on anti-discrimination laws through annual training and adjust their policies accordingly. The ordinance explicitly prohibits advertising that requires a renter to be employed or refusing to accept Section 8 vouchers. It’s a credible stride toward housing equality and one that's underscored by the Commission's active enforcement and advocacy for acceptance of housing choice vouchers as a viable means to secure a lease.
