ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- There is some concern about legislation designed to create equal opportunity in the Rochester housing market.
“There's an actual determination made about the potential renter before they are even interviewed or put any paperwork in and they're eliminated automatically and that’s not right,” said Adam McFadden, South District representative.
Mayor Lovely Warren and McFadden brought an anti-discriminatory housing bill to City Council in the summer of 2016. Wednesday night, a public forum was held to educate the community on the legislation's purpose. McFadden says the law doesn't mandate that people receiving assistance are guaranteed a specific rental. Instead, the councilman wants the public to know the legislation only looks to expand protections to those receiving all forms of government assistance.
“You're going to lose housing providers because it's just another nail in the coffin for us,” said landlord, Mary D'alessandro.
There were also supporters in the crowd who say they have seen housing discrimination in the city first hand.
“No matter where you are in your life or what place you're at. I think you have the right to a safe and fair housing and you shouldn't be exploited against by a landlord,” Rochester resident Shane Wiegand said.
“I've heard over hundreds of people complaining about not being able to find adequate housing not because they couldn't afford the place, but because the landlords wouldn't even talk to them,” said Councilman McFadden.
The legislation looks to broaden the locations of where the city spends its Section 8 vouchers. Currently 70 percent of those vouchers are spent in the poorest parts of the city in the northwest, southwest and northeast parts of town.
“Wherever your income comes from, whether it's government assistance or whatever it is, to me you are a human being,” said Wiegand.
Home providers at the meeting blame the government programs at the county and state level, not their clients.
“If I can't pay my mortgage, my taxes and do maintenance what are the consequences of this legislation, vacant housing. That is not fair to the neighborhoods,” said D`alessandro.
The dialogue between council members, landlords and residents is expected to continue while the bill is held in committee awaiting further action.