Bill Would Add Source of Income, Sexual Orientation to Fair Housing Act

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Act of 2013 on June 27. The bill would amend the Fair Housing Act by adding source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status to personal characteristics that may not be used as considerations in the sale or rental of housing; real estate loans or appraisals; or membership in or access to brokers’ organizations or listing services. The bill would also amend the Equal Credit Opportunity Act by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to personal characteristics that may not be used to determine access to credit. And, the bill would clarify that discrimination on the basis of perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, handicap, familial status, or national origin in any of these real estate transactions or professional organizations is prohibited.In a press release upon the introduction of S. 1242, Senator Brown references a June 18 HUD study that revealed evidence of discriminatory practices against gay and lesbian couples by housing providers in the rental market (see Memo, 6/21). “While we’ve made significant progress over the years, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is still not protected against discriminatory practices that deny them housing or a fair price for housing. That is why I am introducing the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Act which would ensure that a LGBT American has the same opportunity to purchase a home or property as any other American,” Senator Brown said in a press release.The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Read Senator Brown’s press release: http://1.usa.gov/14Eku1Q