A new lawsuit is challenging Lincoln’s voter-approved ban on housing discrimination based on source of income.
The ordinance, passed in May with nearly 66% support, bars landlords from turning away renters if they’re using housing vouchers or other forms of assistance—such as social security, veteran benefits, disability, working for tips or cash wages, and working informal jobs.
The ordinance update went into effect soon after the May election, but on Thursday, Sept. 4, local landlords filed a lawsuit to invalidate the Lincoln for Fair Housing initiative.
“This lawsuit is meritless, harmful, and an attempt to thwart the will of Lincoln voters,” said Ken Smith, Nebraska Appleseed’s Economic Justice Director, in a statement. “We all deserve a fair chance at home and no Lincolnite should be turned away from housing just because of how they pay.”
The non-profit group says its considering “all of the options” to defend the ordinance in court.
Lincoln is not the first city to establish such protections for renters. 23 states and more than 100 cities and towns across the U.S. have enacted similar laws.
Lincoln for Fair Housing (Courtesy: Civic Nebraska)