DC's Human Rights Act bans housing providers from discriminating against renters based on lawful source of income, including Housing Choice Vouchers, SSI, child support, veterans' benefits, and other lawful payment sources.
DC Code 2-1402.21 makes 'source of income' a protected class under the DC Human Rights Act. Landlords may not refuse to rent, set different terms, or use facially neutral screening criteria designed to exclude voucher holders. 'No Section 8' advertisements are facially unlawful. Landlords may still apply legitimate, neutrally enforced criteria — credit history, prior eviction, criminal record (within FRRA limits) — but must consider voucher payment as equivalent to wage income when assessing affordability. The DC Office of Human Rights investigates complaints and the Attorney General has pursued landmark settlements against landlords using algorithmic or screener-driven exclusion.
Refusing vouchers, advertising 'No Section 8,' or applying inflated income-multiple thresholds that exclude voucher tenants exposes landlords to OHR enforcement, AG civil penalties, and damages.
Washington, DC
The DC Housing Authority administers Housing Choice Vouchers and Local Rent Supplement Program subsidies; landlords accepting vouchers must pass DCHA inspect...
Washington, DC
DC provides strong just-cause eviction protections under the Rental Housing Act (DC Code Section 42-3505.01). Landlords may only evict tenants for specific e...
See how Washington's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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