City Of Dubuque To Consider Whether To Add 'Source-Of-Income' Protections To Local Fair Housing Ordinance

In Dubuque, Iowa, the Telegraph-Herald reports:

• A task force created to investigate whether source-of-income protections should be added to Dubuque's fair housing ordinance will survey landlords and renters early [this] year.
  
  City Council members received an update on the task force's progress during a [recent] evening work session. The group includes representatives from several groups, including landlords, tenants and several city departments.
  
  The group has compiled an analysis of landlord and source-of-income policies in other U.S. cities as well as local housing needs. Next, the task force will send a survey to rental property owners and managers to gauge their thoughts on the topic.
  
  A similar survey of tenants is still being developed, City Housing and Community Development Director Alvin Nash said. Meetings also are planned from May to July to gather public input.
  
  The task force hopes to deliver a final report with a set of recommendations for council action by December.
  
  Several landlords have argued that requiring they consider housing vouchers, government aid and child-support payments equal to wages will make it more difficult to collect damages from problem tenants. Supporters said doing so would ensure fair housing.

Source: Housing task force readies source-of-income survey.