Landlords are no longer allowed to turn away prospective tenants because they receive rent subsidies from the federal Section 8 program.
Landlords are no longer allowed to turn away prospective tenants because they receive rent subsidies from the federal Section 8 program.
“They definitely should not be allowed to do that,” said Jared Mason-Gere, a spokesman for House Speaker Tina Kotek, who sponsored the anti-discrimination legislation.
Last year, Kotek, D-North Portland, pushed through a bill that prevents landlords from discriminating against renters simply because they use a Section 8 voucher to pay for a unit. The law took effect Tuesday.
Kotek pushed for changes hoping more low-income renters would have a better selection of housing options. Section 8 recipients generally pay about 30 percent of their income toward housing, with the voucher covering the rest. But it’s up to the voucher-holder to find a landlord willing to participate in the program.
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