Economy
Protecting Private Property Rights
By AAF | Aug 29, 2024
The right to private property is one of the foundational principles of a free society. It ensures that individuals can control their assets without unwarranted interference from the government.
Missouri Representative Ben Keathley’s 2024 bill, HB 2385, sought to uphold this principle by protecting private property owners from being forced to accept government housing vouchers. This legislation is a crucial step in safeguarding property rights, particularly in light of local ordinances, such as the one passed in Kansas City, that threaten to erode these rights.
The Kansas City ordinance, passed in late 2023, mandates that private property owners accept tenants using government vouchers, effectively removing the property owner’s discretion in tenant selection.
This ordinance, despite being framed as a measure to combat income discrimination, disregards the legitimate concerns of property owners who may have valid reasons for declining to accept such vouchers. Property owners who refuse to accept a tenant using a government voucher could face lawsuits, even if they cite other legitimate reasons for their refusal. This heavy-handed approach not only undermines property rights but also places undue legal and financial burdens on property owners.
Government housing vouchers, while intended to assist low-income families in securing housing, often come with strings attached that can create significant issues for property owners. For one, the bureaucratic process associated with vouchers can lead to delays in payments, leaving property owners financially vulnerable.
Additionally, the requirement to meet specific government standards for voucher acceptance can impose costly renovations and upkeep that may not be economically viable for smaller property owners. These added expenses can lead to higher rents, reduced investment in property maintenance, or even a decision by property owners to exit the rental market altogether.
Moreover, there is a concern that tenants using government vouchers might not always have the same level of commitment to property upkeep as those who pay market rates. This can result in higher rates of property damage and the associated repair costs, further disincentivizing property owners from participating in voucher programs. When property rights are compromised, the quality and availability of rental housing can diminish, ultimately harming both property owners and tenants.
Representative Keathley’s HB 2385 was a necessary legislative response to these challenges by a member of American Action Fund’s Liberty Coalition. By preventing local governments from forcing property owners to accept vouchers, the bill upholds the right of individuals to manage their property as they see fit. It protects property owners from the potential financial and legal repercussions of these coercive policies and preserves the integrity of the free market in the rental housing sector.
HB 2385 passed out of the Missouri State House on a vote of 103-33 but did not receive a vote in the State Senate.
Related Blog Articles