The Equal Rights Center has sued a residential property management firm, The Lenkin Company Management, Inc., for discriminating against renters who receive Housing Choice Vouchers. These Vouchers help low-income individuals and families obtain housing and greater access to quality economic and educational opportunities outside of areas of concentrated poverty. By refusing to rent available units to Voucher holders, Lenkin’s conduct illegally discriminates on the basis of source of income, as well as on the basis of race, because African Americans make up the vast majority of Voucher holders in the District. As explained by WLC Executive Director Jonathan Smith, “Source of income discrimination in the District is a pernicious and persistent problem that creates unnecessary and unlawful barriers to meaningful housing choice for Voucher holders and which perpetuates racial and economic segregation. For too long, landlords have refused to rent to Voucher holders, which contravenes the Voucher Program’s goals and makes our communities less integrated and less equitable.”
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