(Leno) Judiciary: 4-2-1
Extremely high rent prices in California leave few housing opportunities for those living in poverty. However, with the help of Federal Housing Choice Vouchers (or “Section 8”), many families are able to afford rent in good, safe neighborhoods. Despite this assistance, landlords in California are legally permitted to deny housing for Section 8 recipients based on their Section 8 status. The Housing Opportunities Act (SB 1053) would have recategorized federal vouchers as protected income so that landlords would no longer have been able to reject tenants simply because they received government assistance.