TITLE
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, ENACTING CHAPTERS 790, 791 AND 792 TO CREATE A FAIR HOUSING BOARD, TO ESTABLISH HOUSING NONDISCRIMINATION LAWS, AND TO CODIFY AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO EVICTION COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS PAY TO STAY
BODY
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Gahanna seeks to provide appropriate protection for all citizens and their right to housing opportunities; and
WHEREAS, any person, irrespective of their race, color, creed, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected status should have fair access to housing in the City of Gahanna; and
WHEREAS, all persons who receive financial assistance, housing vouchers, or other support for the payment of housing costs should have fair access to housing in the City of Gahanna; and
WHEREAS, veterans, people with disabilities, retired people, parents of children, and others who receive income from non-employment sources such as public or private benefits, child or spousal support, or other forms of verified and substantiated income should be protected from discrimination when seeking housing solely on the basis of their source of income; and
WHEREAS, landlords who own rental property in the City of Gahanna will retain rights to apply appropriate screening criteria regarding ability to meet financial obligations, tenant history, credit scores and other factors, the rights to evict tenants who have violated their lease agreements, and the rights to determine tenancy based on safety and other factors; and
WHEREAS, regional housing strategy requires communities including the City of Gahanna to take a proactive approach to ensuring protections for our residents, to establish a foundation of equitable and fair treatment, and to set policy to ensure prosperity and success for all our neighbors; and
WHEREAS, source of income nondiscrimination is needed as a forward-thinking measure to address equity in housing, to ensure that the City of Gahanna is part of the efforts to address housing challenges regionally, and to lower the burden for lower-income individuals and families including seniors and those on fixed incomes remain in their homes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Gahanna reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming community for all and will continue to explore and enact policy reforms and programs in order to expand the quality and availability of diverse housing in the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That Chapter 790 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Gahanna be and is hereby enacted to establish and govern a Fair Housing Board as set forth in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and made a part herein.
Section 2. That Chapter 791 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Gahanna be and is hereby enacted to establish housing nondiscrimination laws as set forth in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and made a part herein.
Section 3. That Chapter 792 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Gahanna be and is hereby enacted to establish residential tenants’ rights to assert tender of rent as an affirmative defense to eviction (commonly referred to as “Pay to Stay”) as set forth in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and made a part herein.
Section 4. That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after passage by this Council and 30 days after the date of signature of approval by the Mayor.