JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 Cities in Missouri would be barred from requiring landlords to accept federal housing vouchers under a Republican-led measure advancing to the state Senate.
In action Thursday, the House voted 103-33 to prohibit municipal offices from stopping landlords from using credit checks or eviction history in deciding to rent to a tenant.
Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City, argued that the legislation would help landlords find renters who will pay their bills and keep their units in good shape.
鈥淵ou have to be able to thoroughly vet your tenants,鈥 Brown said.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Ben Keathley, R-Chesterfield, comes in response to concerns about cities placing restrictions on landlords.
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He said the federal Section 8 housing voucher program places burdens like inspections and 鈥渂ack-door鈥 rent-control measures on landlords.
In addition to Section 8 vouchers, cities could not prevent landlords from using 鈥渋ncome-qualifying methods, credit scores, credit reports, eviction or property damage history鈥 in their decision to rent a property. And cities couldn鈥檛 bar landlords from requesting criminal records from potential tenants.
Keathley said that since he originally filed the bill, Kansas City聽聽that are even more restrictive toward property owners.
Opponents said the measure is an overreaction to efforts by mayors and city councils to address housing issues.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 understand the mentality that we know best when you鈥檙e not even there,鈥 said Rep. Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City.
Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-51黑料, said the measure could result in an increase in discriminatory rental practices at a time when the market is already strained.
鈥淭here will be unintended consequences,鈥 Bosley said.
This legislation is Hous
After being forced out of her home, Julie Pogue and her kids lived at a hotel in Richmond Heights for months while looking for Section 8 housing during the pandemic. Pogue shares her thoughts on Section 8 housing options as she tours a 4 bedroom, 1 bath home in Ferguson she would eventually move into with her five children in April. Photos and video by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
