A Landmark for Fair Housing: KC Tenants & Mayor Lucas Introduce Ban on “Source of Income Discrimination”

KANSAS CITY, MO – Kansas City has made a resounding statement in the pursuit of fair housing.

In a historic move, KC Tenants, in collaboration with Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilman Johnathan Duncan, introduced an ordinance to ban source of income (SOI) discrimination in housing. This significant policy, revealed at a rally on the North Steps of City Hall, marks a crucial victory in the fight for housing equality and is on track for passage before the end of this year.

The ordinance, supported by Mayor Lucas, Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, and Councilmembers Eric Bunch, Darrell Curls, Andrea Bough, and Johnathan Duncan, addresses a critical issue that disproportionately affects Black tenants, especially Black women with children. In Kansas City, over 8,100 voucher holders, and many others relying on government assistance or non-traditional income, face obstacles in housing due to SOI discrimination.

SOI discrimination is more than a housing issue; it’s a matter of social justice. “This is our opportunity to right that wrong,” states the support letter signed by nearly 30 organizations, including KC Tenants, Decarcerate KC, Trinity United Methodist Church, Community Mental Health Fund, and Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation. The letter highlights the racial and gender disparities intensified by SOI discrimination, noting that 60% of Missouri’s voucher holders are Black, and 43% are female-headed households with children.

The proposed ban not only prohibits discrimination but also ensures robust enforcement. It includes mechanisms like a $1000 fine per violation and probationary measures for repeat offenders, enforced by the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Department. The ordinance also requires proactive audits of rental advertisements and educational outreach to inform tenants and landlords about their rights and obligations.

Kansas City’s move, shaped by the lived experiences of those affected by SOI discrimination, is poised to become the most comprehensive and enforceable of its kind in the nation. This reflects a growing trend in the United States, with over 120 jurisdictions already enacting SOI discrimination bans. However, Kansas City’s approach is distinguished by its extensive coverage and strong enforcement provisions, setting a precedent in the battle for equitable housing.

As highlighted by KC Tenants, the right to safe and stable housing is fundamental, and this ordinance is a vital step towards securing that right for all Kansas City residents, irrespective of their income sources.

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