WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) cosponsored the bicameral Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025, introduced by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). This bill aims to make it easier for veterans and low-income families, two groups of Americans disproportionately harmed by housing discrimination, to find safe and affordable homes through expanding protections of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Currently, 2.3 million veterans and low-income households use Housing Choice Vouchers to help pay rent, but there are no federal protections to prevent individuals from being denied housing based on using that voucher. Across Pennsylvania and the country, many veterans and low-income families have reported being turned away by landlords due to their veteran status or when using vouchers, clearly demonstrating the need for federal action.
“Honoring our veterans means moving past the talk and taking real action for the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation. We owe them stronger support,” said Senator Fetterman. “It’s hard enough to find an affordable place to call home. Every veteran and every family struggling to keep a roof over their head deserve dignity and our support, not discrimination based upon their service or if they use a voucher.”
“As a fair housing attorney, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that accessing safe, affordable housing can have on families and communities,” said Senator Kaine. “In Virginia, we’ve already witnessed the impact that banning discrimination based on source of income or veteran status can have, and I’m proud to introduce this legislation to ensure all veterans, military families, and low-income individuals are protected from discrimination.”
“Everyone deserves access to safe, affordable housing, and families should not be denied a home due to their source of income. I am proud to partner with Senator Time Kaine and Congressman Scott Peters to ensure that low-income families, veterans, and servicemembers are protected from discrimination,” said Senator Schiff.
“In San Diego and across the country, there are too many stories of unnecessary loss and debilitating anxiety when looking for housing,” said Representative Peters. “No American should be denied housing because they’re a veteran or receive government assistance, especially as we face a historic housing shortage and unacceptable levels of veteran homelessness. Our bill would make this type of deplorable discrimination illegal.”
Specifically, the Fair Housing Improvement Act would:
- Expand the Fair Housing Act of 1968 to prohibit housing discrimination based on “military status,” “veteran status,” and “source of income.”
- Prohibit landlords from denying housing to individuals who use Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, benefits received through Social Security, income received by a court order, payment from a trust or guardian, or any other lawful source of income.
- Require landlords to come into compliance within 40 months of the law’s enactment.
In addition to Kaine, Schiff, and Peters, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Patty Murray (D-WA).
The bill is supported by: Virginia Housing Alliance, Virginia Poverty Law Center, A Way Home America, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Service Coordinators, Catholic Charities USA, Children’s Health Watch, Church World Service, Coalition on Human Needs, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, Housing Justice Center, Justice in Aging, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Mobility Works, My Dog is My Home, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, National Association of Social Workers, National CAPACD, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Community Development Association, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, National Housing Law Project, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National NeighborWorks Association, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Women’s Law Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, New America’s Higher Education Program, Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Poverty & Race Research Action Council, The American Institute of Architects, and the Kelsey.
“The Fair Housing Act was signed into law more than 55 years ago, yet far too many still do not experience the protections it promised,” said Renee M. Willis, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “’The Fair Housing Improvement Act,’ reintroduced by Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Scott Peters, expands upon the 1968 law by prohibiting housing discrimination based on military status, veteran status, or “source of income.” Through this Act, Kaine and Peters aim to create more opportunities to protect housing and service programs designed for veterans and low-income households, while also giving landlords the time needed to implement the law. I applaud Senator Kaine and Representative Peters for reintroducing this crucial legislation, and I urge Congress to enact this bill to help end housing discrimination.”
“Source of income discrimination is far too often a main barrier for households seeking stable housing, preventing families from living where they choose,” said Chantelle Wilkinson, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Campaigns at NLIHC. “Where we live connects us to educational opportunities, better health, nutritious foods, and employment – all essential to thriving in our communities. When a landlord denies a voucher holder access to housing despite meeting all other qualifications, that “no” is not just about a home: it’s denial of opportunity, equity, and stability. I applaud Senator Kaine and Representative Peters for advancing such critical legislation that will combat discrimination and segregation.”
“NALHFA commends Senator Kaine and Representative Peters for introducing the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025, which would serve as a critical step toward increasing access to affordable housing,” said Jonathan Paine, Executive Director of the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies. “No individual, family or veteran should face discrimination simply because they rely on federal vouchers or other lawful sources of income to pay rent. Expanding these protections strengthens our communities and helps break down barriers to housing opportunity for those who need it most.”
“Prohibiting source of income discrimination is vital to our collective efforts to foster integrated communities, increase economic mobility, and reduce homelessness,” said Thomas Silverstein, Executive Director of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council. “The Fair Housing Improvement Act is a commonsense bill that will help move our society in a more just direction.”
“Evidence shows that when families are unstably housed, there are not only severe consequences for child and caregiver physical and mental health, but these family-level consequences turn into enormous and avoidable economic costs to society for health care, special education services, and more” says Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, executive director of Children’s HealthWatch. “Every family deserves the chance to thrive, and that means ensuring that they can access high-quality, affordable homes in neighborhoods with economic opportunities without discrimination.”
Full text of the Senate bill is available here.
