Ashland to study student housing discrimination

ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) - The city of Ashland will examine whether students should be protected under its Fair Housing ordinance.

Southern Oregon University students have complained about paying extra deposits or being denied the chance for a rental.

The Ashland Daily Tidings reports (https://is.gd/VNvymL ) that some rental ads even state that students need not apply.

Though students are not a protected class under federal housing laws, they could be classified as such under city law. The designation would make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against them.

The City Council has asked the Housing and Human Services Commission to study the issue.

Councilman Dennis Slattery wants the panel to hear from students and property owners, and find a solution.

Slattery says he’s not sure students need to be a protected class, but they shouldn’t be a rejected class.

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Information from: The Ashland Daily Tidings, https://www.dailytidings.com