AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Leaders of a Central Texas city have adopted a resolution barring landlords from summarily rejecting applicants who want to use federal vouchers to pay the rent.
The Austin City Council voted Thursday in favor of the “source of income” measure involving housing complexes. Race, religion and gender are already banned as reasons for landlords to nix rental applications.
City Manager Marc Ott will seek public opinion for writing an ordinance to be presented to the Austin City Council by August.
Backers say the measure will provide more housing options for low-income residents. Critics raised questions about additional paperwork and regulatory burdens associated with federal housing rules.
The planned ordinance would not make accepting federal vouchers mandatory. Austin landlords could still reject applicants based on their credit scores and criminal histories.
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