We all deserve a chance at home.
But ...
… 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 is putting 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.
We can solve this issue – with our signatures and our votes.
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.
That’s why Lincoln for Fair Housing is gathering signatures – to ensure that Lincoln voters can cast their ballots in the city’s May 2025 municipal election to approve source-of-income protections.
Signing events
Signing locations
Civic Nebraska
530 S. 13th St. Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508
Signing hours: 9 am to 5 pm CST on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Call to arrange: 402-904-5191
Nebraska Appleseed
947 O St. Suite 401 | Lincoln, NE 68508 (fourth floor via elevator)
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm CST on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Call to arrange: 402-438-8853
Get Involved
Volunteer
Sign up to collect signatures! Lincoln for Fair Housing collectors will receive thorough training before their first shift and never be asked to collect signatures alone.
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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.
More
If these options aren’t right for you, you can support the Lincoln for Fair Housing campaign by educating your friends and neighbors through virtual and in-person conversations.
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