At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman introduced a bill on Tuesday that would increase penalties for landlords who refuse to rent to people who use federal rental assistance vouchers (previously called Section 8 vouchers) to pay their rent. While it’s already technically illegal for landlords to discriminate against renters based on their “source of income,” discrimination in housing ads remains rampant in the District.
A WUSA9 investigation found more than 100 Craigslist ads in the District with language like “No housing vouchers” or “Vouchers not accepted” written plainly in the description of housing ads. In response, the D.C. Attorney General’s office sued two affiliated real estate companies in the District for allegedly discriminating against recipients of housing vouchers in their rental process.
Silverman’s bill would increase penalties for any landlord who violates the D.C. Human Rights Act and “advertises their intent” to discriminate against housing voucher holders. The legislation would require the payment of a fine to the Office of Human Rights—$10,000 for the first violation, $15,000 for the second, and $20,000 for every subsequent violation, according to the text of the bill as introduced.
At-Large Councilmembers David Grosso and Anita Bonds, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen co-introduced the measure, and the bill currently has the support of a majority of the D.C. Council.