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VOUCHERS
For people with vouchers, the new law also clari es that minimum income requirements must only apply to the portion of rent the tenant pays out of their own pocket.
In addition, it prohibits landlords from considering the credit score of an applicant who is on a voucher. Wilde said credit, like the minimum income requirement, has historically been a barrier for voucher holders in nding housing.
Hope for Justin
Vonesh said the new law is good for people at low income levels like
Justin.
Since voucher holders generally pay 30% to 40% of their income on rent, the vast majority will now always qualify in terms of income.
“I think (the law) will have a fairly signi cant positive impact,” Vonesh said, re ecting on the times Justin has been turned down on the grounds of income. “ at new provision, I think, takes that o the table.”
Vonesh said the more he knows and understands the laws, the more he is feeling prepared and empowered going into conversations with apartment managers.
“I was just waiting for them to say ‘We don’t accept vouchers,’” he said, describing one recent meeting. “I was ready to pull out my printed-out copies of the statutes that are all highlighted.”
But people who don’t know their rights don’t have that opportunity to stick up for themselves, he said.
To help educate more tenants and landlords on the rights and rules related to housing discrimination, the Denver Metro Fair Housing Center launched a campaign in April about source-of-income discrimination.
“Most prejudice is rooted in the lack of knowledge,” Marosy said. “We’re optimistic that as we get more knowledge out about the voucher program, we’ll see a decrease in the discrimination that we’ve been seeing against voucher holders.”
As months have gone by, laws have been passed and Vonesh has gotten help, he has maintained hope for Justin — but it hasn’t been easy.
With the number of apartments that have not worked out for his grandson, Vonesh was hesitant to say one law would x the whole process.
“I think some of these folks can be pretty creative if they really don’t want to accept vouchers,” he said.
But the new law is a step forward, he said.
Armed with his stack of papers and knowledge of his rights, Vonesh is dedicated to continue trying — for the sake of himself, for the sake of Justin and for the sake of other Coloradans who have struggled to put a roof over their heads.
