Kansas City Could Ban Source-of-Income Discrimination

The proposed law would eliminate a significant hurdle for many recipients of federal housing vouchers.

1 minute read

December 12, 2023, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Kansas City, Missouri skyline.

Kansas City, Missouri. | SeanPavonePhoto / Adobe Stock

A proposed ordinance would ban Kansas City, Missouri landlords from discriminating based on the source of a tenant’s income, including federal housing vouchers as well as “Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, child support, tipped wages and rental assistance as a broad category of aid.”

As Mary Salmonsen explains in Smart Cities Dive, “The aim of this update to the city’s code is to increase the number of properties that will accept renters regardless of their source of income, reduce homelessness and eliminate situations in which Section 8 housing voucher holders cannot find any housing that will accept their vouchers, according to the ordinance text.”

Landlords would be fined up to $1,000 and have their rental permits placed on probation if found in violation of the ordinance. “This move follows the adoption of a Renters’ Bill of Rights in Kansas City in 2019. More than 120 other jurisdictions have passed similar bans on source of income discrimination, according to NPR in Kansas City.”

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 in Smart Cities Dive

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic place names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight