Title
Source of Income Discrimination Prohibition (Ordinance G-7086)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to amend Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code to prohibit housing discrimination based on a renter or buyer's source of income.
Report
Summary
On February 17, 2023, Councilmembers Pastor, Guardado and Garcia submitted a request (Attachment A) to the City Manager to place an item on the March 1, 2023 Formal City Council Agenda. The request is for the City Council to consider an amendment to Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code. The proposed amendment prohibits the practice of discriminating against a home buyer or renter based on the buyer or renter's source of income. A person who discriminates against a buyer or renter based on the buyer or renter's source of income may be subject to civil penalties of up to $2,500 and daily penalties up to $2,500.
This request is in compliance with Rule 2(c) of the Rules of Council Proceedings.
On Dec. 22, 2022, in response to a 1487 claim, former Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued Report No. 22-002 that determined the ordinance adopted by the City of Tucson violated state law. The City of Tucson requested the current Attorney General Kris Mayes to reconsider Report No. 22-002 and she agreed. To date, a new report has not been issued. Therefore, the proposed Chapter 18 amendment prohibiting the practice of discriminating based on the source of income will not be enforced until after Attorney General Mayes reconsiders Report No. 22-002. After the Attorney General completes its reconsideration, the City of Phoenix will take appropriate action.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Law Department.