Clergy & Lay Leaders Stand Up Against Housing Discrimination...and Win!
With 9 out of 10 apartment owners turning away Section 8 voucher users, single mothers like Evita Cruz have few options about where to live. This affects what school her daughter attends, how far she travels for work and how safe she feels in her neighborhood. During Holy Week, Austin Interfaith clergy and lay leadership stood up for people like Evita to demand that the council advance a resolution that would prohibit discrimination based on Section 8 vouchers. Council responded with a 6-0 vote, directing the City Manager to draft language for a formal policy proposal. In photo, Evita Cruz tells her story. More photos here.
Council Approves Voucher Ordinance, KVUE-ABC
Council Passes Resolution to End Housing Discrimination, KXAN
Council Could Ban Landlords from Section 8 Discrimination, Time Warner Cable News
Council: Getting a Round Tuit, Austin Chronicle
Policy Austin City Council Says Landlords Can't Discriminate Against Housing Voucher-Holders, Austin American Statesman