Thousands of Lincoln renters struggle to find housing, not because of their ability to pay but because of how they pay. Currently, the city offers zero protections against source-of-income discrimination or turning away prospective tenants who use vouchers, Social Security, disability benefits, or other forms of assistance to pay rent.
Lincoln for Fair Housing is taking action to end this practice. On Thursday, the community coalition launched an effort to gather signatures to place a measure on the May 2025 city ballot. The initiative will prohibit source-of-income discrimination within city limits.
“Source-of-income discrimination is unfair and avoidable,” said Lincoln for Fair Housing member Kasey Ogle of Nebraska Appleseed. “Source-of-income protections have been successful in 22 states and 128 cities around the country, cutting voucher failure rates in half and helping to reduce concerns about affordable housing. It’s time for Lincoln to join them.”
On Thursday, Dec. 12, supporters will gather from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at NeighborWorks Lincoln, 2530 Q St., to kick off the ballot initiative effort and share how to volunteer. The event will include training for those interested in helping collect signatures to ensure Lincoln voters can decide the issue in the city’s May 6 general election.
Currently, 44 percent of Lincoln renters face unaffordable housing costs. An estimated 11,280 local households are extremely cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than half their income on rent. Assistance programs like Section 8 housing vouchers are designed to bridge this gap, but nearly one in three voucher recipients in Lincoln must return their voucher because they can’t find a landlord who will accept it.
By passing source-of-income protections, Lincoln will reduce housing instability and ensure that assistance programs work as intended – to provide safe, affordable housing to families who need it.
“Our homes are where we lay our heads each night and wake up each morning, but without stable housing, every aspect of our lives is turned upside-down,” said Lizzie Turner of Nebraska Appleseed. “When neighbors can’t access safe and affordable housing, it threatens their physical and mental health, educational and career success, and the community’s overall well-being.”
Lincoln for Fair Housing is a coalition of residents dedicated to ensuring fair housing opportunities for all Lincolnites. The group works to end practices and conditions keeping Lincolnites from the homes they need. For more information, visit FairHousingLNK.org.
