Landmark Legislation Protects Tenants Using Housing Assistance

In Michigan, a new rule has been established that changes the way landlords can select their tenants. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a group of bills that make it illegal for landlords who own five or more housing units to refuse someone as a tenant just because they use assistance programs like Section 8 vouchers or veterans’ benefits to pay their rent.

This new law aims to ensure that how a person pays for their housing cannot be used against them. 

This is a big step towards treating sources of income the same way laws already treat race, gender, or religion – as something that can't be used to discriminate against people.

Read more: Understanding the Fair Housing Act: What You Need to Know about Discrimination and Housing

State Senators Mary Cavanaugh, Rosemary Bayer, and Jeff Irwin were the ones who introduced these changes. They believe that these laws will help reduce homelessness in Michigan by making it easier for people to find homes. 

It's expected that these changes could help over 34,000 families across the state find affordable housing, working towards the goal that everyone can succeed in Michigan.

While some landlords were worried that accepting housing assistance would mean more paperwork and dealing with governmental agencies, many housing providers remained neutral towards this change. 

Some, like Andrew Kuhn of Sunrise Communities, don't see it affecting their business much and anticipate the main change to be more training for their staff on how to work with these voucher systems.

Supporters of this law argue that it's a step forward for housing rights and could contribute to solving the housing affordability crisis in Michigan. 

On the other hand, some business and landlord groups are either neutral or opposed to the bills, concerned about the potential for increased bureaucracy and legal hassles, particularly in eviction processes, which might make Michigan a difficult place for landlords to operate.

Despite the new law, landlords can still deny tenants for other reasons unrelated to their income source. This means that while using Section 8 or similar programs can't be a reason for denial, other criteria will still apply.

Check out: Rental Assistance: A Comprehensive Guide

All in all, this legislation is part of a broader effort to make housing more accessible and affordable to Michiganders, especially those in need. 

However, challenges remain in balancing the needs and rights of tenants with those of landlords.

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