Cincinnati's Source-of-Income Discrimination Ordinance, added to CMC Chapter 914 in 2020, makes it unlawful for landlords to refuse to rent to tenants who pay rent using Section 8 vouchers or other lawful non-wage income.
Under CMC Chapter 914, lawful source of income is a protected class for housing in Cincinnati. The ordinance forbids landlords from refusing to rent, applying different standards, or advertising No Section 8 when an applicant proposes to use Housing Choice vouchers, Social Security, child support, veterans benefits, or other lawful sources. Ohio has not enacted statewide source-of-income protection, so Cincinnati's rule is one of the strongest in the state. Enforcement runs through the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission. The ordinance interacts with the city's tenant-protection framework in Chapter 1011 and the federal Fair Housing Act.
Refusing to consider a Section 8 voucher, advertising No Section 8, or using application standards designed to exclude voucher holders can trigger Human Relations Commission complaints, fines, damages, and orders to rent.
Cincinnati, OH
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See how Cincinnati's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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