… in Lincoln, landlords can refuse to rent to people based on how they pay, such as housing vouchers or disability benefits. That’s called source-of-income discrimination – and it’s just plain unfair. People deserve a fair chance at housing, no matter where their income comes from.
Lincoln for Fair Housing has gathered signatures to place a measure on the May 2025 city ballot to end this practice.
›› Source-of-income discrimination is the refusal to rent because of a prospective tenant’s lawful source of income. It keeps Lincoln renters from the housing they need, resulting in housing instability, unaffordable, unsafe or inaccessible housing, or homelessness.
›› In Lincoln, housing is unaffordable for 44% of renters at all income levels, and 11,280 households are extremely cost-burdened by rent. With so little left after housing costs, many sacrifice necessities like food and healthcare to make ends meet.
›› Assistance programs like Section 8 housing vouchers, social security, disability, and veterans benefits are legitimate forms of income and have been proven to reliably fill this gap. But they can’t help when landlords refuse to rent to Lincolnites using them.
›› Nearly one in three voucher recipients in Lincoln must return their voucher because they are unable to find a landlord who will accept it. Just look around Lincoln’s apartment listings, and you’ll see “No Section 8,” “No LHA,” and “No Vouchers.”
This discrimination hurts our whole community.
Our city can adopt source-of-income protections and immediately increase Lincolnites’ chances at safe, affordable housing. Prohibiting landlords and property managers from turning away prospective tenants based solely on how they pay rent is the right thing to do.
Source-of-income protections work for everyone. While Lincoln faces an affordable housing crisis, source-of-income discrimination has been banned in 22 states and 128 cities and towns in the United States. In those cities and states, the voucher failure rate has been cut in half.
Lincoln for Fair Housing has gathered signatures to ensure that Lincoln voters will cast their ballots in the city’s May 2025 municipal election to approve source-of-income protections.
Thank you for gathering signatures! Lincoln for Fair Housing is preparing volunteer opportunities and training for educating Lincolnites and getting out the vote for the the May 6 election.
Have you experienced source-of-income discrimination or a landlord who supports source-of-income protections? You’re not alone and your story deserves to be heard.
If these options aren’t right for you, you can support the Lincoln for Fair Housing campaign with a donation. Every dollar we receive will go toward education and advocacy efforts.
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