Organizers say fair housing petition in Lincoln surpassed signature requirements

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A petition seeking to ban source-of-income discrimination by landlords in Lincoln has received over 15,300 signatures.

On Monday, organizers with Lincoln for Fair Housing said the signatures surpass the required threshold to place the initiative on the May 6 city election ballot.

The group needed at least 8,825 signatures from registered Lincoln voters to qualify.

In a press release, the group said nearly half of Lincoln renters face “unaffordable housing costs.”

Assistance programs, like Section 8 housing vouchers, are supposed to alleviate the burden — but nearly one in three recipients can’t find a landlord willing to accept them, according to organizers.

The group is now waiting for the signatures to be verified.

Once that is done, Lincoln for Fair Housing plans to launch an “educational campaign” featuring events and community conversations regarding the measure.

SEE ALSO: Group hosts signature drives for fair housing petition at south Lincoln coffee shop