Right now in Lexington, a landlord doesn't have to consider federal housing assistance, known as Section eight vouchers as income of a potential tenant.
Lexington is considering an ordinance requiring landlords to do so.
The goal is to make it easier for people with low incomes to find a place to live.
Earlier this week, we brought you some tenants views on this.
Yesterday, Lexington's Social Services and Public Safety Committee heard from tenants and landlords.
This is a moral question.
Local governments and well over 100 cities across the country, including both Louisville and Cincinnati, have passed protections for those in need, as are contained in this proposed ordinance.
Does this council cares much about all of its people, as the Louisville Council does?
As it stands right now, section eight housing vouchers are not getting repeat business the community needs.
So we have two options Make landlords take it or refine the system and make the landlords want to accept it.
This includes incentives, support reimbursement for destruction of property vetting, potential voucher holders that would have a positive representation of the program.
Another idea is that landlords could put forth the firsthand experience.
This ordinance has a definite price.
It will make housing more expensive in Lexington for every renter.
It will establish a floor for the rental rates.
This ordinance adds zero units of housing to the limited stock already available in Lexington.
It will not make a single unit available in quote unquote better areas with better resources.
The rents in those areas are higher than what the voucher holders can legally pay.
And during the meeting, Lexington, Fayette Urban County Housing Authority director Austin Sims explained his office's position on the ordinance.
Let there be no mistake.
I stand against discrimination that prevents any person from having access to their basic needs.
It should be very clear that the Housing Authority and I personally have always fought against discrimination toward those that we serve.
So I would hope that any reasonable person would understand that I and the housing authority, as long a long time, affordable housing advocates oppose discrimination.
And if that is what this ordinance is about, you can bet we support it.
Now, the full council or that committee did not vote during yesterday's meeting.
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