Bill Overview
Title: Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their source of income, veteran status, or military status in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate transactions and services.
Sponsors: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Target Audience
Population: People seeking housing who are veterans, servicemembers, or with varied sources of income
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill addresses housing discrimination, which is a fundamental issue that affects a large portion of the population living in rental and purchased housing.
- The bill specifically identifies protected classes such as those with varied sources of income, veterans, and those in military service, broadening protections beyond race, gender, and other existing categories.
- The rental market is a key sector impacted by this bill, as it specifically addresses real estate transactions.
- All potential renters and homebuyers may be indirectly affected, since non-discriminative practices could lead to broader societal changes.
Reasoning
- The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2022 targets a wide demographic with diverse needs, particularly renters, veterans, and individuals with non-standard incomes, such as those on public assistance. This is a significant portion of the population, but not everyone will be impacted immediately or directly.
- Given the fact that the policy specifically points out discrimination based on income sources and military status, individuals from these groups will likely see the most change in their well-being scores over time as barriers are reduced.
- Because the policy is aimed at promoting equity in housing, the long-term effects should ideally reflect a gradual increase in well-being due to improved living conditions and stability.
- Veterans and individuals who face housing discrimination due to their income source experience unique challenges, and therefore the policy’s impact on their lives can be significant, illustrated by improved well-being scores.
- Those unaffected directly will still experience indirect benefits as societal norms shift, but these changes may not be immediate or noticeable in their Wellbeing scores. Hence, the interviews consider a range of impacts based on personal circumstances.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran, currently unemployed (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s hard to find a landlord willing to rent to someone on disability benefits. This policy might make it easier for me to find a place to live.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired, on Social Security (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve heard stories of renters being rejected due to their income source, so it's reassuring to know there are protections in place. However, it may not change my situation directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect to be directly affected because I can rely on my regular income, but it's nice to know that others who struggle more have these protections.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance Artist (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Landlords often question my income stability because it varies month to month. This policy could help me finally secure stable housing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Real Estate Agent (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I support fair housing, the policy might complicate the rental process and create hesitation among landlords initially.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Construction Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It sounds like a good thing if it helps more people rent homes, but I expect my personal situation to stay about the same.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this means I won’t be turned away just because part of my rent comes from student loans and aid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Military Officer (Columbus, OH)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I usually face trouble finding housing quickly with VA benefits. Hopefully, landlords will be more open now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Farmer (Rural Kansas)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even in my area, securing housing is tough because my income fluctuates. I hope this policy will help level the playing field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Veteran, part-time security guard (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s been hard finding affordable housing that accepts my VA benefits alongside my part-time income. I really hope this policy makes a difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $105000000 (Low: $84000000, High: $126000000)
Year 3: $110250000 (Low: $88200000, High: $132300000)
Year 5: $121550000 (Low: $97240000, High: $145860000)
Year 10: $148049000 (Low: $118439200, High: $177658800)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The administrative cost of compliance monitoring and enforcement could be significant, given the bill's broad scope.
- Potential legal challenges and need for interpretation may arise, prompting ongoing judicial oversight and educational directives.
- Long-term benefits, though harder to quantify, could significantly affect community economic health and opportunity equity.