OPINION|
by Gracie Gorman, Mattie King, Clayton Robertson, Julia Chamberlain, Springfield
During his term, President Nixon gave a speech on segregation and fair housing. He stated that freedom requires the right and ability of each person to decide for themselves where and how they want to live.
Over 50 years later, tenant advocates and civil rights activists continue to fight for the same principles when implementing fair housing laws. In the mid 1970s, the Choice Voucher Program was passed with the intent to increase access to high-opportunity neighborhoods for those with low socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, as an article in the Journal of Planning Literature explains, people with vouchers are often unable to move out of areas with high poverty concentrations (1). This is partially due to the fact that landlords can discriminate against source of income (SOI), as it is not protected under the Fair Housing Act.
To combat this problem, 16 states and numerous local governments have supplemented fair housing laws with SOI anti-discrimination clauses (2). Only four cities in Missouri have passed SOI laws, including Webster Groves, Clayton, Kansas City and St. Louis.
If Springfield followed suit, it could practically improve the local housing crisis and homelessness, both of which are growing problems in the community. A researcher with Springfield Tenants Unite further explains that it often takes people with a voucher about nine months to find housing, and it can be difficult to find a temporary place to stay (3).
Additionally, SOI protection can help prevent traces of racially disparate housing practices. One report in the Journal of Planning Literature found that 18% of the time, landlords discriminated against black voucher holders but still allowed white voucher holders to rent (1). If individuals were provided equal access to high-opportunity neighborhoods, it could help break the cycle of oppression many minorities face.
With a source of income protection, individuals could finally have the right and ability to decide where and how they want to live. It would also effectively address some of the most urgent housing problems within the local community. Therefore, it is imperative that Springfield passes legislation to ensure equal freedoms for all citizens who are looking for housing.
1) Tighe, R., Hatch, M., & Mead, J. (2017). Source of Income Discrimination and Fair Housing Policy. Journal of Planning Literature, 32(1).
2) Number of states/local governments who have passed laws:
Teles, D., & Su, Y. (2022). Source of Income Protections and Access to Low-Poverty Neighborhoods, Urban Institute.
3) Interview with Deanna Bergren from Springfield Tenants Unite.