Saturday, January 23, 2016

Pittsburgh Landlord Group Sues City Over New Ordinance Prohibiting Landlords From Refusing To Rent To Tenants With Housing Subsidy Vouchers

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:
  • In the latest accusation that City Council overstepped its bounds in 2015, a group representing owners and managers of thousands of units of Pittsburgh rental housing is suing over a law that prevents landlords from refusing tenants with federal housing vouchers.

    The lawsuit, filed Friday in Common Pleas Court by the Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, takes aim at Councilman Ricky Burgess’ legislation, passed in December, that prevents landlords from discriminating based on “source of income,” in part defined as tenants who receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s voucher program, commonly called Section 8.

    Obviously, it is establishing a precedent across the state that would take a voluntary program ... and make it mandatory,” said James Eichenlaub, the association’s executive director.