Meeting Public Comments

Shelley Skuster []

It's wrong to push this legislation during a pandemic when many people are facing unemployment and eviction.If landlords accept federal COVID relief, they should not be able to turn down renters who pay with federal housing vouchers. Please oppose this bill.

Zoami Calles-Rios Sosa []

This bill seems so illogical and unnecessary. You are essentially going to punish those who get help (such as government money to pay their rent). The people we need to be helping as a whole are the very same targeted to get punished with this bill. We need to have compassion and kindness for those who are in need, no put obstacles in their way so that they can never get out of the social economic cycles of poverty at the bottom. And to think that landlords won't use this bill to their advantage and personal biases is not wanting to see the reality of life. We are people, and we have biases. We don't need the government to cement those biases into our law. This bill needs to be stopped.

Z-Shan Bhaidani []

It's a little more criminal than tasteless, the idea that during a recession and pandemic we're choosing to take tax payer dollars and government officials' time to look at a bill that punishes poor Iowans who are may use federal housing vouchers to pay their lease. Not only is the relegation of voucher recipients to a category of people that can be denied housing indiscriminately the issue, it's the hypocrisy that there's also a bill to take public dollars for private school vouchers. So not only is there potential legislation to give parents with access even more money at the expense of all students, we're now looking at people who are using federal dollars (rent $ is rent $ to a landlord) to have *any* housing access as a group that can be openly turned away?This bill is insulting. Especially during a time where a majority of people approve some type of additional financial stimulus and we're seeing increased homelessness all throughout Iowa and especially in urban areas that seek to get their new, pricier real estate filled with paying customers. The idea that people can use federal stimulus checks to pay rent (or anything they want) but those who use housing vouchers will be specifically denied housing seems to be an antipoor stance that is as classist and out of touch with working Iowans as the voucher bill (that's already being condemned by most as a cash grab from, and for, the *few*).

Luke Elzinga [Des Moines Area Religious Council]

The Des Moines Area Religious Council is registered against this bill. Even before the pandemic, many communities in Iowa were facing affordable housing crises. In Polk County, we are 8,000 units short of affordable housing. Our state government should be focusing on creating more affordable housing and access to housing for our residents, not giving landlords the legal right to discriminate based on source of income. This proposal is especially troubling in light of the current Presidential administration's affordable housing plan, which includes expanding the number of Section 8 vouchers. Section 8 vouchers are a guaranteed payment for landlords, so this is not about whether or not individuals will be able to pay, it's classism, plain and simple. This is about landlords not wanting "those people" living in their units. It's time we solve the affordable housing crisis, not make life more difficult for poor people. I urge you to do the right thing and not advance this bill out of subcommittee.

Angie Arthur []

In working for an organization that facilitates a community response to homelessness, the facts are clear that affordable housing is paramount to ending homelessness. Housing Choice Vouchers are an important tool to achieving this goal. There are many kinds of housing choice vouchers. All are important in helping citizens with lower incomes find a safe place to call home. I strongly urge you to vote no on moving SSB 1079 forward. As mentioned, there are many different kinds of housing choice vouchers. Here are few of vouchers used in Iowa. The HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers helps veterans from all over Iowa find and keep affordable housing. The Mainstream Vouchers program assists individuals with disabilities who have been homeless maintain housing. The Family Unification Program supports families and youth aging out of foster care programs from across Iowa find affordable housing.

Barbara Klubal [Iowa Youth Chorus]

There is an extreme lack of affordable housing in our state. The problem has only been exacerbated by the Covid19 pandemic and its economic impact. To put forth a bill that will further limit housing for those who most need it, now more than ever is beyond unfair. Some of these people are at risk of homelessness. Our elected officials are public servants. I see nothing in this bill that serves the public. I urge you not to support SSB1079.