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SB 207

Civil rights: housing discrimination; housing discrimination based on source of income; prohibit. Amends sec. 502 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2502).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Bayer and 10 co-sponsors

Michigan prohibits housing discrimination based on income source, protecting renters receiving government assistance from being denied housing solely due to assistance program participation.

ASSIGNED PA 0180'24
#civilrights:housingdiscrimination #housing:landlordandtenants
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Bill Summary · SB 207

Legislative bill overview

SB 207 amends Michigan's civil rights law to prohibit housing discrimination based on source of income. The bill expands protected classes under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include individuals who receive income from government assistance programs, vouchers, or other lawful sources. This makes it illegal for landlords and housing providers to deny rental, refuse terms, or otherwise discriminate against tenants solely because of where their income originates.

Why is this important

Approximately 2 million Michigan residents rely on programs like Section 8 vouchers, SNAP, unemployment benefits, or disability payments. Without this protection, landlords could categorically exclude these individuals from housing regardless of creditworthiness or ability to pay rent. The law creates enforceable housing access for low-income Michiganders and aligns the state with similar protections in other jurisdictions, potentially reducing homelessness and housing instability.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord concerns: Property owners argue source-of-income restrictions limit their ability to assess tenant reliability and may increase administrative burden for verifying income sources and managing subsidy programs.
  • Enforcement mechanisms: The bill doesn't establish dedicated funding for enforcement, raising questions about whether existing civil rights enforcement agencies have adequate resources to investigate and adjudicate complaints.
  • Definition scope: Ambiguity exists around what constitutes a "lawful source of income" and whether certain types of assistance are covered, potentially creating litigation over boundary cases.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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