Council hears first reading of ordinance banning source-of-income housing discrimination
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Summary
Council held a first reading and extended discussion on a proposed ordinance to prohibit source-of-income discrimination in housing. The measure, drafted by Vice Mayor Ragu and Councilor Smith and reviewed by the Housing Advisory Commission, seeks to add a local prohibition; staff will return with clarifications requested by council.
Oxford City Council on Oct. 29 held first reading of an ordinance that would add a local prohibition on source-of-income discrimination in housing by creating new chapter 7.46 in the city code.
Vice Mayor Ragu and Councilor Smith sponsored the draft ordinance and took it to the Housing Advisory Commission for review; the commission endorsed the concept and asked that the draft be reviewed by Legal Aid of Southwest Ohio and Housing Opportunities Made Equal. Councilors and public commenters described the proposal as a local step to expand housing access for voucher recipients and other households that rely on public or private assistance to pay rent.
Vice Mayor Ragu framed the ordinance as a response to concentrated poverty and limited housing choices that disproportionately affect families, veterans and people on fixed benefits. She cited a national advisory report recommending that states and localities treat source of income as a protected class in housing policy to allow families greater access to opportunity.
Anne Pure, chair of the city’s Housing Advisory Commission, spoke during public comment and told council the HAC had a “lively conversation” and endorsed the ordinance’s spirit; she and others raised enforcement questions, specifically that enforcement often depends on renters initiating complaints and that renters can be reluctant to file complaints out of fear of retaliation.
Councilors asked staff to clarify whether specific income types — including emergency assistance payments, veterans benefits and disability benefits — should be explicitly enumerated in the ordinance’s definition of “source of income.” Jessica said she would research the question and return with an answer at a later meeting. Staff also said the draft had been updated to include a civil charge in addition to criminal penalties and to clarify protections against retaliation.
No final vote was taken; the item will return for additional review and a second reading.