Source of Income as a Protected Class (OR)
Source of Income is a protected class across Oregon. What this protected class is intended to protect is benefit income. That is, one may not be treated differently, denied, or harassed in a housing setting or transaction based on whether or not the household receives benefits such as social security income, disability income, unemployment income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANIF), alimony, child support, food stamps, etc., etc.
Most statutes in Oregon provide exceptions for recipients of federal rent subsidy payments under 42 USC 1437f (IE: “Section 8 Vouchers”); that is, landlords do not have to accept Section 8 vouchers if they don’t want to. The reason for this exception is that it was simply lobbied out of the law at the time of enactment.
Also excepted from protection is income derived in any illegal manner.
While source of Income is not codified into federal law, HUD issued related new requirements in 2010:
06/07/10
HUD Requires Compliance with Local Source of Income Protections
HUD Media Release
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