A fair shake on housing, for victims of domestic abuse. Proposed legislation would prohibit housing discrimination against victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking. "Hopefully it can be used a tool proactively, to find housing for people and put people on notice that they can't use this," said the bill's Assembly sponsor, Madison Democrat Representative Joe Parisi . "The message gas to be sent load and clear that being the victim of a crime, especially a sensitive crime, is not a reason to deny someone housing."
The bill is not a solution in search of a problem, according to Armentie Moore-Hammonds with the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault . "A landlord here in Madison happens to be a personal friend of mine, and I was able to educate her on why should not deny a place to live for a woman and her three children," said Moore-Hammonds. She said the landlord became aware of the woman's status as a crime victim by searching C-CAP, the state's on-line criminal courts database, something which the bill's Senate sponsor, Milwaukee Democrat Senator Spencer Coggs , says is a common practice by landlords. He says the bill should serve as a warning to landlords that they'll need to show a credible excuse for not renting to those victims.
"Good landlords don't need an incentive to do the right thing," Coggs said. "Bad landlords need an incentive not to do the wrong thing." Moore-Hammonds says the legislation would be an effective tool in dissuading landlords from discriminating against such victims. The proposed bill , which was announced during a Capitol press conference on Wednesday, is supported by a number of advocacy groups.
AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:15 MP3)
