On June 23, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2022 (S.4485), legislation that would expand protections under the Fair Housing Act of 1968 to include banning discrimination based on source of income and veteran status. While a number of state and local governments have passed source-of-income protection laws, federal law does not protect against this type of discrimination.
By adding source of income and veteran status to the Fair Housing Act’s list of protected classes, the bill would prohibit housing providers from denying housing to individuals who use HUD’s Housing Choice Vouchers, HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, benefits received through Social Security, income received by a court order, payment from a trust or guardian, or any other lawful source of income. Companion legislation, H.R.8213, was introduced by Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-52) in the House.