Atlanta Poised to Pass Protections for Voucher Holders

The city council will vote on a proposal to require publicly subsidized landlords to lease units to recipients of housing assistance vouchers.

1 minute read

November 14, 2022, 12:00 PM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Buckhead, Atlanta

Brett Barnhill / Shutterstock

An Atlanta city councilmember has proposed legislation that would require landlords of publicly subsidized housing developments to accept Section 8 housing vouchers, reports Sean Keenan for Atlanta Civic Circle.

The rule is aimed at reducing source-of-income discrimination against voucher recipients, who often have a hard time finding housing. A similar law passed in 2020 requiring all Atlanta landlords to accept vouchers was deemed legally unenforceable because requiring private landlords to accept vouchers must be done through state legislation, Keenan explains. The new resolution applies only to property owners receiving city subsidies such as tax credits and would increase the number of units available to voucher holders.

The proposed Atlanta legislation is modeled on a similar law passed in Charlotte, North Carolina earlier this year, which fines landlords who deny housing to voucher holders. Housing voucher recipients around the country face a unique set of challenges as they navigate a tight housing market to find affordable units.

Friday, November 11, 2022 in Atlanta Civic Circle

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility

Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.

April 14, 2024 - Todd Litman

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

4 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Rendering of Brightline West train passing through Southern California desert

Brightline West Breaks Ground

The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

5 hours ago - KTLA

Aerial view of gold state capitol dome in Denver, Colorado and Denver skyline.

Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions

In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.

6 hours ago - Colorado Politics

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.