More Cities and Counties Arming Renters Against Source of Income Discrimination

St. Louis County is considering fair housing legislation that would prevent source of income discrimination, as many cities in the region have already done, and many more are also considering.

1 minute read

May 21, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Pruitt-Igoe

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research / Wikimedia Commons

"A controversial measure to bar landlords from discriminating against renters who use housing vouchers appears to be stalled because of recent vacancies on the St. Louis County Council," reports Janelle O'Dea.

First-term Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-5th District, is leading the charge to write source of income discrimination into the county's fair housing code. "If adopted, the change would make it easier for people who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program — still widely known as “Section 8” — to find places to live in the county," explains O'Dea.

The feature-length article includes a lot of detail about subsidized housing in the county, as well as the growing acceptance of laws to counter source of income discrimination in the county's 88 municipalities. Despite a law intended to prevent source of income discrimination in the city of St. Louis, the practice is still widespread, according to O'Dea, so work needs to be done to improve the effectiveness of existing laws as well.

Monday, May 20, 2019 in St. Louis Post-Dispatch

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

"Stage 4" soundstage wall seen through ornate metal gate at Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, California.

Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA

Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.

2 hours ago - California Planning & Development Report

Two young women roller skating in a park on a sunny day.

How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls

Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.

3 hours ago - Next City

Ohio State Senate building nwith modern downtown Columbus skyscrapers in background.

Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund

The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.

4 hours ago - Ohio Capital Journal