Proposed Law Would Empower Section 8 Voucher Users

In a move to support low-income renters, San Jose is considering a policy that would force landlords to consider Section 8 voucher users as renters. "The so-called source of income ordinance would not force landlords to take the vouchers, but it would ban them from judging potential tenants who use subsidies differently from those who don’t and from explicitly advertising 'No Section 8' on apartment listings,” Emily Deruy reports for the Mercury News. While the proposal would not force landlords to take on Section 8 tenants, landlords would need to consider Section 8 renters in the same way they consider other possible tenants.

"Right now, there’s no law that prevents landlords from turning away voucher holders, and a city survey found most do," Deruy writes. This law would aim to give tenants a better chance to be considered. Opponents complain the proposal would only create more red tape for landlords if it were to become law.