State court upholds Lawrence’s ordinance to protect against housing voucher discrimination
Kansas Court of Appeals judges have upheld the City of Lawrence’s ordinance intended to ensure voucher recipients can secure housing, finding that “State and local governments have a legitimate interest in protecting the affordability and quality of housing.” The Lawrence City Commission in February 2023 approved an ordinance change that creates a protected class based on renters’ source of income, as well as their status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. It also disallows discrimination based on prospective tenants’ immigration status. The ordinance went into effect June 1, 2023. Source: The Lawrence Times