The city became the first in North Carolina to enact fines for landlords who fail to rent to recipients of federal housing vouchers.
A new law in Charlotte, North Carolina offers protection to renters who use housing vouchers in city-funded developments, making it illegal for landlords to discriminate based on income. As Genna Contino reports for the Charlotte Observer (reposted in Governing), “Under the new policy, owners of city-supported housing approved in the future could receive thousands of dollars in fines if they fail to comply in a timely manner.”
According to Contino, the policy is designed to reduce barriers for low-income renters, as “Charlotte severely lacks affordable housing — just 1 percent of apartments in Mecklenburg County rent for less than $1,000 per month.”
Under the new regulations, “Landlords and property owners will have to complete compliance training and have 30 days to cure the violation. If not cured in 30 days, the violator will pay the applicant denied housing $100 a day until the violation is cured or for 180 days, whichever comes first. If not cured in 180 days, the owner could pay the city up to $23,000.”
The law could have a significant impact. “A 2018 Urban Institute study commissioned by HUD shows widespread discrimination by landlords who refuse to accept vouchers. Tenants fared better in cities that had protections,” that study found.
FULL STORY: Charlotte Passes Housing Income Discrimination Protections
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The state of Iowa's Republican leadership preempted local laws that prevent landlords from rejecting housing vouchers as rent payment.
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Proposed Pool Would Make an Olympic-Sized Play Area in the San Francisco Bay
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Chicagoland Transit Agencies Call for State Funding as Budget Shortfall Looms
Illinois transit agencies want to see changes to a law requiring them to collect half of their revenue from transit fares, arguing that low ridership and staffing shortages will lead to a massive budget gap without intervention.
Princeton Planning
City of College Park
Houston-Galveston Area Council
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
