Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025 Aims to Prevent Housing Discrimination Against Veterans and Low-Income Families

Strategic Insights -

The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025, reintroduced by Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), seeks to protect veterans and low-income families from housing discrimination. The bill aims to expand protections under the Fair Housing Act of 1968 by adding source of income and military/veteran status to the list of protected classes.

Veterans and low-income households using Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) face widespread housing discrimination, with many reporting being denied housing due to their source of income. California and Virginia have enacted legislation to prohibit source of income discrimination, and the lawmakers' bill would bring these protections nationwide. The legislation would prohibit landlords from denying housing to individuals using HCV, HUD-VASH vouchers, or other lawful sources of income.

"We should not be too proud to admit that there are too many stories of unnecessary loss and debilitating anxiety when looking for housing," said Rep. Peters. "No American should be denied housing because they're a veteran or receive government assistance, especially as we face a historic housing shortage and unacceptable levels of veteran homelessness."

The National Low Income Housing Coalition President, Renee M. Willis, applauded the reintroduction of the Fair Housing Improvement Act, stating that it expands upon the 1968 law by prohibiting housing discrimination based on military status, veteran status, or source of income.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025 aims to protect veterans and low-income families from housing discrimination.
  • Over two million veterans and low-income households use Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to pay rent.
  • California and Virginia have enacted legislation to prohibit source of income discrimination, and the lawmakers' bill would bring these protections nationwide.
  • The legislation would add source of income and military/veteran status to the list of protected classes under the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
  • The bill would prohibit landlords from denying housing to individuals using HCV, HUD-VASH vouchers, or other lawful sources of income.
  • In 2023, fair housing complaints increased to over 34,000, with source of income discrimination complaints as the largest category of discrimination not explicitly protected under the Fair Housing Act.
  • People of color, particularly Black women, are disproportionately impacted and more likely than any other group to be evicted or denied housing.

Statistics:

  • Over two million veterans and low-income households use Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to pay rent.
  • In 2023, fair housing complaints increased to over 34,000, with source of income discrimination complaints as the largest category of discrimination not explicitly protected under the Fair Housing Act.
  • People of color, particularly Black women, are disproportionately impacted and more likely than any other group to be evicted or denied housing.

Sources:

  • Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50)
  • Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA)
  • National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies
  • Poverty and Race Research Action Council
  • Children's HealthWatch
  • Other groups and organizations supporting the bill, including A Way Home America, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Association of Service Coordinators.