Oxford council advances ordinance to ban source-of-income housing discrimination after public comment

Oxford — Oxford City Council held a first reading Wednesday of an ordinance that would prohibit housing discrimination based on a tenant’s source of lawful income, a move supporters said is intended to expand housing choice for veterans, families and other residents who rely on public or private assistance.

The ordinance, drafted by Vice Mayor Chantelle Ragu and Councilor Smith and reviewed by the Housing Advisory Commission, would add a new chapter (7.46) to the city code defining “source of income” and creating civil and criminal enforcement options for violations. Vice Mayor Chantelle Ragu told the council the change aims to reduce concentrated poverty and give families using vouchers or other benefits more housing options.

“Everywhere, including Oxford, there’s a shortage of good, safe, decent, affordable housing, especially places that will accept vouchers,” Vice Mayor Chantelle Ragu said during the meeting. She cited a report to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights that recommended source-of-income protections to help lift children from areas of concentrated poverty.

Anne Pure, chair of the city’s Housing Advisory Commission, spoke during public comment and said the HAC reviewed and endorsed the ordinance’s concept at its Oct. 2 meeting. Pure said the commission and legal-aid reviewers suggested clarifications, particularly on enforcement and retaliation protections, and that those changes were incorporated. “We had a lively conversation, provided support for the spirit of the ordinance, and endorsed the version that we examined,” Pure said.

Council discussion focused on the ordinance’s definitions and enforceability. One councilor asked whether specific income types — emergency assistance, veterans benefits and disability payments — should be listed explicitly in the definition to reduce future confusion. A staff member said she would research that question and return with an answer at the next meeting.

Councilors and HAC members acknowledged enforcement challenges when complaints rely on tenants to come forward. The measure adds a civil charge in addition to criminal penalties to give the city more enforcement options, according to staff. Legal Aid of Southwest Ohio and Housing Opportunities Made Equal reviewed the draft and suggested language that the city incorporated, including a clarified retaliation provision.

The ordinance received public support from local housing advocates at the meeting, but it is still at first reading and has not been adopted. Councilors said the measure would be returned for a second reading after staff follow-up on definitional questions and potential enforcement mechanisms.

If adopted, the ordinance would make Oxford one of a growing number of Ohio cities that explicitly prohibit source-of-income discrimination at the municipal level; state law does not currently list source of income as a protected category.