Bipartisan House Members Move to Extend Housing Protections to LGBTQ Americans

April 30, 2019 by Sean Trambley
Bipartisan House Members Move to Extend Housing Protections to LGBTQ Americans
The Seattle area has been building lots of new housing, but not much of it has been affordable to the middle class. (Ken Lambert/Seattle Times/TNS)

This week, U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider D-Ill., Susan W. Brooks R-Ind., Jennifer Wexton D-Va., and Brian Fitzpatrick R-Penn. introduced legislation to extend clear and consistent non-discrimination housing protections to LGBTQ individuals.

H.R. 2402, the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019 would include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protected characteristics under the Fair Housing Act which currently mandates non-discrimination for housing on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability.

“No American should face discrimination finding a home because of who they are or who they love,” said Schneider. “Yet the majority of states still have no laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. I am proud to lead this long overdue bipartisan bill to extend federal protections to ensure all LGBTQ individuals and same-sex couples can access housing without prejudice. I am also pleased that these important housing protections were incorporated into the Equality Act, and I look forward to voting on this anti-discrimination package soon.”

“Housing discrimination and prejudice of any kind, towards anyone, is wrong,” said Brooks. “It is a fundamental American value enshrined in our Constitution to ensure equal protection under the law for all people in our country, including when purchasing or renting property. I am proud to lead this common-sense, bipartisan bill, the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2019, so that anyone, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, handicap, familial status and national origin is treated fairly and equally under the law as they buy or rent a place to call home.”

“LGBTQ Americans should be able to rent or buy a home without fear of discrimination because of who they love or how they identify,” said Wexton. “Passing this legislation will put an end to the inadequate patchwork of protections that exist across America. Equality doesn’t stop with marriage—this bipartisan bill will help ensure LGBTQ Americans are fully protected under the landmark Fair Housing Act.”

“LGBTQ Americans are part of the fabric of our society and should be free to exercise the rights guaranteed to every American by the Constitution to participate fully in our society and pursue every opportunity,” said Fitzpatrick. “This legislation will protect Americans from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity because discrimination against the LGBTQ community is an injustice which must end.”

Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the Senate to the Fair and Equal Housing Act.

Text of the legislation can be found here.

A+
a-

In The News

Health

Voting

Housing

January 31, 2024
by Tom Ramstack
Fair Housing Advocates Ask Congress for Protection From AI Abuses

WASHINGTON — Computer engineers have controlled artificial intelligence in the financial sector so far but now lawyers and regulators need... Read More

WASHINGTON — Computer engineers have controlled artificial intelligence in the financial sector so far but now lawyers and regulators need to oversee the emerging field to avoid injustices, according to housing industry experts at a congressional hearing Wednesday. Otherwise, algorithms that can be blind to abuses... Read More

Biden Administration Encouraging Conversion of Empty Office Space to Affordable Housing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is launching a multi-agency effort to encourage states and cities to convert more empty... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is launching a multi-agency effort to encourage states and cities to convert more empty office buildings into housing units, with billions of federal dollars available to help spur such transitions. The new initiative, announced Friday morning, involves the departments of... Read More

June 7, 2023
by Quinn O'Connor
New House Caucus Seeks to Address Renter Woes

WASHINGTON — Responding to a growing number of constituents whose rents are outpacing their ability to pay them, Rep. Jimmy... Read More

WASHINGTON — Responding to a growing number of constituents whose rents are outpacing their ability to pay them, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., on Wednesday established the first-ever Renters Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. "As the burden of rent has increased significantly, far outpacing the... Read More

Cities Reviving Downtowns by Converting Offices to Housing

NEW YORK (AP) — On the 31st floor of what was once a towering office building in downtown Manhattan, construction... Read More

NEW YORK (AP) — On the 31st floor of what was once a towering office building in downtown Manhattan, construction workers lay down steel bracing for what will soon anchor a host of residential amenities: a catering station, lounge, fire pit and gas grills. The building,... Read More

Rent Stabilization Measures Win in US Midterm Election

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ballot measures in the U.S. to build more affordable housing and protect tenants from soaring rent... Read More

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ballot measures in the U.S. to build more affordable housing and protect tenants from soaring rent increases were plentiful and fared well in last week's midterm elections, a sign of growing angst over record high rents exacerbated by inflation and a dearth... Read More

US Retail Sales Were Flat in July as Inflation Takes a Toll

WASHINGTON (AP) — The pace of sales at U.S. retailers was unchanged last month as persistently high inflation and rising... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The pace of sales at U.S. retailers was unchanged last month as persistently high inflation and rising interest rates forced many Americans to spend more cautiously. Retail purchases were flat after having risen 0.8% in June, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Economists had... Read More

News From The Well
scroll top