Oregon ORS 659A.421 makes it unlawful for a landlord to refuse to rent or to discriminate against an applicant or tenant because of their source of income, including Section 8 (Housing Choice) vouchers, VASH, Section 811, or other government rental assistance. Portland's FAIR Ordinance (PCC 30.01.086) reinforces and locally enforces this protection.
ORS 659A.421(2)(a) prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or other terms of real property based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, familial status, source of income, or disability. 'Source of income' is defined in ORS 659A.421(1)(g) to include any lawful federal, state, or local payment, subsidy, or voucher, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers administered by Home Forward (the Portland-area housing authority). A landlord may not advertise 'no Section 8' or impose minimum-income tests that effectively exclude voucher holders without considering the voucher portion of rent. Reasonable minimum-income standards may only be applied to the tenant's portion of rent (ORS 659A.421(8)). Portland's FAIR Ordinance (PCC 30.01.086) layers local enforcement by requiring landlords to apply a standardized screening process and prohibiting the same source-of-income discrimination. Home Forward administers the Housing Choice Voucher program for Multnomah County.
BOLI (Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries) Civil Rights Division enforces ORS 659A and may award damages, civil penalties up to $1,000, and attorney fees. Portland Housing Bureau accepts FAIR complaints. Fair Housing Council of Oregon also litigates source-of-income cases.
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See how Portland's section 8 voucher acceptance rules stack up against other locations.
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