KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo City Commissioners have voted in favor of amending its Chapter 18 Fair Housing ordinance to create more protections for renters against discrimination.
During a virtual meeting Tuesday night, Commissioners discussed the two separate measures at length, which has been in development since earlier this year when it was introduced by Vice Mayor Patrese Griffin.
Chapter 18 prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, physical or mental disability, family status, sexual orientation or gender identity. According to city documents, this update expands protections to include educational affiliation, source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence, personal identification method, prior arrests and conviction records.
Other changes in the ordinances limit rental housing application fees to actual costs. A civil rights board will also be established to review contested cases of discrimination thought to violate the ordinance.
The purpose of the board is to review appealed cases of alleged discrimination following an investigation conducted at the direction of the City Manager. The board would also provide recommendations and promote policies that help ensure equal opportunities are afforded to everyone.
As amended, this is the first major change to the Fair Housing Ordinance since 2009, at which point gender identity and sexual orientation were added as local protections.
Two of the ordinances were presented in a joint format, meaning both would have to pass in order to be implemented. City Attorney Clyde Robinson had previously said that this was done to make them easier to understand, and are both structured similar to other proposals in places like Ann Arbor.
Commissioners fielded comments regarding the matter for over an hour, the majority of which were in favor of adopting the amendments. These measures had previously been met with mixed reviews regarding its implementation.
“As individuals in a community, we can no longer turn our backs on the systematic obstacles faced by fellow community members around housing,” one caller said. “Housing is a right, and no one should be denied the opportunity of housing based on passed evictions, convictions or source of income, which disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. We must not be a city of polarizing extreme wealth and extreme poverty.”
While most comments were made to urge the Commissioners to adopt the ordinances, some housing representatives said that not enough input had been made from landlords, and others said they planned to take their business elsewhere.
“I am interested in investing, and I have a pending sales agreement to purchase a six-unit rental property in the City of Kalamazoo,” another said. “Quite frankly, I’m appalled, I think it’s absurd. It makes it impossible for landlords to properly screen tenants. It burdens us with the cost of rectifying damages after tenants who are not collectible move out. If this passes, I will not be purchasing rental property in the City of Kalamazoo, and I am quite sure many other investors are going to take flight.”
Responding to such comments, Commissioner Chris Praedel discouraged investors from doing so.
“I personally think that’s very short-sighted,” Praedel said. “When you look at the next generation of people who are now earning disposable incomes and looking to locate to a community and find work, they’re looking for communities that share their values, they’re looking for communities that lift people up and fight for social justice causes. I think we can demonstrate we’re a community that holds those values true. We don’t have to lose something in order to give others more rights, and to give people more opportunity.”
After amending both measures to make the language more clear, both measures were unanimously passed by the board.
“I’m just really truly honored,” Vice Mayor Griffin said. “We worked through the doubts, the disrespect and the discredit, and were able to move power. I just want everyone to know how important your voice is. You don’t have to have a title to make an impact, you don’t have to have any of those things to make a change, you just have to have a belief. Hopefully what has happened here in the City of Kalamazoo moves other municipalities and communities to begin to have equitable housing. We need everyone to have equitable access.”
Work is now expected to begin on making appointments to the new civil rights board.
The Chapter 18 ordinance amendment can be viewed here, while the Chapter 18A amendment can be viewed here.
A stream of the meeting can be viewed online here.
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