Commentary: H.169 Would Help Fight Housing Discrimination

This commentary was written by Rachel A. Batterson, director of the Housing Discrimination Law Project at Vermont Legal Aid.

Vermont House Bill 169 adds needed protections to Vermont’s fair housing law, adding citizenship and immigration status to reasons a person can’t be denied a home. It also removes social security numbers as a roadblock.

We need these protections more than ever as the federal government attacks immigrants and undermines civil rights laws that protect us all from arbitrary and discriminatory decisions that make Vermont less just. 

For 16 years, I’ve overseen Vermont Legal Aid’s housing discrimination work, including fair housing testing and investigation. There is significant housing discrimination in Vermont based on race, color, national origin, religion and ethnicity. H.169 would help correct this market distortion. 

Several arguments raised against H.169 are inaccurate. First, nothing in Vermont or federal fair housing law stops a landlord, bank or anyone from denying a home for a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason such as inability to pay. Second, I am aware of no law or basis under which the federal government could penalize a private landlord, bank or anyone for following fair housing laws.

Finally, landlords don’t need SSNs. Calling landlord references is common practice. Landlords could rely on rent or other payment history instead of credit or allow applicants to provide verified credit reports. People ineligible for SSNs could get ITINs. 

Vermont needs workers on dairy and other farms, in construction and elsewhere. People from other countries are willing to do these jobs that the rest of us won’t. Let’s ensure these workers aren’t denied a home simply because they’re not “from here.”