KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Some city officials are considering changes to Kalamazoo’s civil rights ordinance with the goal of fighting the effects of structural racism in the local housing market.
Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Patrese Griffin introduced the proposed revision to Chapter 18 of the Kalamazoo Code of Ordinances, which details city policy pertaining to discrimination. The potential change would elimate all blanket housing rejections for any demographic group.
Other revisions offered for the ordinance include the regulation of housing application fees in city rentals, the establishment of an oversight board to review alleged incidents of discrimination, and protections for individuals using housing vouchers to access housing.
The updated ordinance would include protections who have either beeen arrested or faced prior convictions, saying that, “No person shall use any criminal history information, other than convictions contained in a conviction record, to deny an individual any aspect of housing.”
Griffin said in a released statement that the change to city policy is meant to combat structural racism and poverty in the city, which often concentrates renters and homeowners in certain neighborhoods because of discrimination.
The ordinance has been supported by two major civil rights advocates in the city, both the Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community, and Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Kalamazoo.
A public work session on the proposed revision and topic of housing discrimination will be help at 6 P.M. on Monday, February 24th in the community room of Kalamazoo City Hall.
