[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 179 (Tuesday, November 13, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH (for himself and Mr. Kaine):
  S. 3612. A bill to amend the Fair Housing Act to prohibit 
discrimination based on source of income or veteran status; to the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President. Today, I am pleased to join my colleague 
from Utah, Senator Orrin Hatch, to introduce the Fair Housing 
Improvement Act of 2018. This legislation would advance our nation in 
its long pursuit of achieving equal protection under the law and 
protecting all Americans from discrimination. This bill would prohibit 
housing discrimination based on source of income or veterans status and 
give millions and families and veterans greater access to affordable 
housing and economic mobility.
  Many of you know I'm a former civil rights attorney. My practice 
focused on fair housing and I witnessed the pain experienced by 
families who were discriminated against as they searched for a home. 
Today, veterans who are good tenants with supportive housing vouchers 
can be turned down for an apartment or lease renewal because of how 
they pay their rent. Housing decisions should be based on your merits, 
not harmful stereotypes about those who receive housing assistance. If 
you pass a screening and background check, you shouldn't be denied a 
place to live because of your service record or how your rent will be 
paid. Unfortunately, this happens in America every day and it is wrong.
  This legislation has support from organizations focused on affordable 
housing and helping those who have served find a place to live, 
including National Fair Housing Alliance, National Housing Law Project, 
National Low Income Housing Coalition, Paralyzed Veterans of America, 
and Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals. Many of my 
colleagues in this chamber strongly support the housing vouchers that 
help 2.2 million veterans and low-income households live in decent, 
stable private market housing. I've said previously that your home is 
critical to your identity and central to the life of every American. I 
want to share a story about two of my constituents that illustrates the 
need for this bill.
  Rudolph Nanez is a Navy veteran who lives in Virginia Beach with his 
wife, Jessica Youness. Rudolph moved to the United States from Spain as 
a teenager and earned a high school diploma. He joined the Navy and 
served three years on active duty, followed by several years in the 
reserves. Three years ago, Rudolph and Jessica faced a housing crisis 
and feared they would have to live on the street after temporarily 
relocating to a hotel. Fortunately, with the assistance of local 
Virginia nonprofits, they were able to find a home.
  In September, Rudolph's wife Jessica contacted my office after they 
received an abrupt notice that their lease would not be renewed and 
they had to leave their home within 10 days, despite paying a portion 
of their rent regularly through a supportive housing voucher for 
veterans, known as HUD-VASH. Jessica was frustrated because, as she 
said, it takes time to find an apartment that will accept these 
vouchers. She couldn't understand why, after calling multiple apartment 
management companies to find an available unit, she then had to explain 
to the company representative what a supportive housing voucher was.
  Rudolph and Jessica each have a disability and rely on public 
transportation. It was challenging to find housing near a bus stop and 
they needed time to save for a deposit on a new home. My office was 
able to work with the property manager to get Rudolph and Jessica's 
lease extended through next June.
  This story had a happy ending. But it didn't have to come to this 
point. More than a dozen states and over 70 local jurisdictions have 
enacted laws to prohibit source of income discrimination in housing, 
and it's time Congress did the same.
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