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Comment

I am a homeowner in Rochester, NY, and I know I am fortunate that my income and race made this possible for me. I recognize that home ownership is not possible or even optimal for many. I also know of too many who have faced eviction due to increasing rental prices and who suffer from inadequate care of the housing they rent due to landlord inattention. No one should have to deal with bugs or mold or broken utilities AND still pay monthly rent for the same. Landlords have too much power over people's lives, and as a result renters are at a greater risk of housing instability. This instability includes harassment and homelessness. It's fueled by and increases growing racial and gender inequity. I support the FFHA creating and enforcing new renter protections for people living in properties with federally backed mortgages. These would included the following:
1. Source of income protections to prohibit landlords from discriminating against households receiving rental housing assistance such as Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or local rental assistance, so that families can have greater choice about where to live.
2. Limiting the reason a landlord can evict or refuse lease renewal when the tenant in not at fault or violating any law.
3. Protections from rent gouging.
4. Requirements that guarantee safe, decent, accessible, and healthy housing.
5. Bans on discrimination.

Landlords have too much power over our lives and our homes. The government is protecting the few who hold rental property leases over the many who rent from them. By doing so it ignores the needs of the renters. This can and should change.