Senate OKs Bill To Ban 'Source Of Income' Bias In Rental Housing

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Senate this week approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Meghan E. Kallman that would prohibit discrimination against tenants because of the source of their income.

Kallman said the bill is aimed at preventing landlords from refusing to rent to people with Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers, although it also prevents discrimination based on any source of income, including Social Security, veteran’s benefits, disability, or child support.

Kallman said it’s difficult for people to find decent housing that they can afford, and that the COVID-19 pandemic made the situation worse.

Live in Pawtucket? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

“‘No Section 8’ is a regular feature in the apartment listings here,” the Pawtucket Democrat stated. In a release, she said income discrimination is “sending voucher recipients into poor, unsafe housing” and is “just as insidious as any other type of discrimination.”

Kallman said the practice “is a pretext for keeping people out of certain housing or neighborhoods, and we must put an end to it in Rhode Island.”

The legislation adds “lawful source of income” to a list of statuses that landlords may not use as a basis for tenant selection, or for assigning only certain units. Other statuses include race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and marital status. The bill would not apply to owner-occupied dwellings of three units or less.

Landlords would still be able to confirm an applicant’s ability to pay the rent. They would still be able to ask if a prospective tenant is at least 18 years old and be allowed to verify income, its source, and its expected duration.

Kallman said safe, stable housing “is the number one determinant of family security.”

The bill now heads to the House, which on March 2 approved companion legislation sponsored by Providence Democrat Anastasia P. Williams.

The Senate bill is cosponsored by Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence), Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Sen. Tiara Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence), Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket), Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) and Sen. Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield).