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age is not a protected class under the real property provisions of the Minnesota Human <br />Rights Act; however, a local jurisdiction added it to their local city ordinance. Other <br />protected classes that could be considered include: <br />• Age <br />• Source of income <br />• Gender Identity <br />• Ancestry <br />• Domestic Violence Survivor <br />Expanding Choice under the Section 8 Voucher Program via City Ordinance <br />Expanding opportunities for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holders (also known as <br />"Section 8") to use their vouchers in the private market is a significant way to promote fair <br />housing. Although administration of the HCV program is generally handled by a city's HRA <br />or by a regional HRA such as Metro HRA, cities themselves can take a meaningful step to <br />expand choices for these residents by adding protections within a city ordinance. A <br />number of cities and states across the country have adopted anti -discrimination <br />protections making it a violation of state or local law to refuse an applicant because of their <br />participation in the program or because of requirements of the program. In 2017 <br />Minneapolis amended its Civil Rights Act to add such a protection; other cities could take <br />this action as well.14 <br />Links/Resources: <br />• Seattle, WA fair housing website - https://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/civil- <br />rights/fair-housing <br />• Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs - <br />https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/fair-housing/renters.htm <br />14 As of this writing, landlords have challenged the Minneapolis ordinance in court, with the lawsuit still pending. <br />21 <br />