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I had a terrible time finding housing with my Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, even though the state of California, where I was looking and now live, has discrimination protections. The Housing Authority actually tells us not to mention that we have a voucher in our housing inquiry search because of such discrimination.

I believe if such discrimination laws were federal and there were actual repercussions for avoiding dealing with someone with a federal housing voucher, this would be less of an issue. Also, if there could be limits on income requirements would be helpful. Many landlords require a two to three times the rent of mininimun incomes. This is astronomical for someone with low income. We may be good tenants and able to frugally budget ourselves to make the rent each month, but cannot meet the requirements of minimum income...

Please support those of us who are good tenants (I lived in my last place for 19 years, always paying the rent and no mishaps; but despite good letters of recommendation, no one would call me back). For five months I made inquiries every day on the few places I could afford. The only place that came through for me was Mercy Housing, a non-profit where I had my name on the list for seven years! I just got lucky that my name came up on that list before my voucher search time ran out.

Thanks for your help and your work!