Lincoln council refers source-of-income housing measure to May ballot after hours of testimony

The Lincoln City Council voted 7-0 on Monday to send a citizen-initiated ordinance to the May 6 ballot that would prohibit discrimination in renting or buying housing based on a person’s lawful source of income.

Supporters of the measure — who collected more than 15,000 verified petition signatures to qualify the ordinance for council consideration — urged the council to enact the ordinance immediately or let Lincoln voters decide in May. Opponents including the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce urged more study and an economic impact analysis before adoption.

The proposed amendment would add “lawful source of income” as a protected class in Title 11 of the Lincoln Municipal Code. City Attorney Hansa Christie told the council the Lancaster County Election Commissioner verified the signatures required under the city charter, and that the council’s options were to enact the ordinance without amendment or submit it to a public vote. The council chose the latter.

Speakers representing neighborhood groups, civic nonprofits and tenant advocates described repeated instances in which landlords had refused to rent to people using Section 8 housing choice vouchers, social security or disability benefits, child support or other lawful income sources. Testimony included accounts from caseworkers and a voucher recipient who said they had not been able to find housing despite qualifying for assistance.

Advocates argued the ordinance would increase voucher utilization, reduce housing instability and help families avoid homelessness. Opponents, led by a representative of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, said the ordinance might impose administrative burdens on landlords, create disincentives to participate in voucher programs and urged a commissioned impact study before adoption.

After public comment, the council moved and seconded the resolution to place the measure on the May ballot. Roll call was: Carlson, Doudin, Schaub, Beckias, Weber, Bowers and Washington — all voting yes. The motion carried 7-0.

The council’s referral means Lincoln voters will decide in the May election whether to amend Title 11 to prohibit refusal to rent or sell based on lawful source of income. If approved by voters, the city would add enforcement mechanisms and update city code to reflect the new protected class.

The council did not amend the petition language before referring it to the ballot. Supporters said they prefer immediate council enactment, but welcomed the referral.

The initiative and the public hearing focused mostly on rental discrimination against voucher holders, though advocates noted the proposed text would apply equally to buyers and renters. City staff and legal representatives said they would provide implementation details and answer technical questions if the council or voters adopt the ordinance.

The council’s action came after nearly three hours of public testimony, with dozens of speakers alternating at two microphones to explain personal experiences, cite local statistics and urge the council to respect the petitioners’ petition drive.