A. 
It is the policy of the City of Kalamazoo in the exercise of its municipal authority for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare that all residents be assured of an equal opportunity to live in adequate housing facilities and prohibit unlawful discriminatory practices in housing and real estate transactions.
B. 
The prohibitions against discrimination provided for in this chapter do not preempt federal or state law, but are intended to supplement existing state and federal civil rights law to prohibit discrimination and practices in the area of housing not addressed at state or federal law, especially in regards to actions taken because of an individual's source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence, prior arrests, or conviction record; provided, however, this chapter shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with First Amendment jurisprudence regarding the freedom of speech and exercise of religion.
A. 
Any term used in this chapter shall have the definition as provided in Chapter 18, Nondiscrimination.
B. 
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:
ACTUAL EVICTION
The completed legal process of a landlord removing a tenant from a rental property.
ADVERSE ACTION
To evict an individual, fail or refuse to rent or lease real property to an individual, or fail or refuse to continue to rent or lease real property to an individual, or fail or refuse to add a household member to an existing lease, or reduce any tenant subsidy. The adverse action must relate to property located in the City of Kalamazoo.
AGENT
A person acting on behalf of a housing facility entity.
APPLICANT
An individual applying to rent or lease a housing facility and an individual applying to be added to an existing housing facility lease.
BLANKET POLICY
A policy or practice that generally treats an individual as a member of group based on a particular characteristic as opposed to singularly.
DIRECTLY RELATED CONVICTION
The conduct for which the person was convicted or that is the subject of an unresolved arrest that has a direct and specific negative bearing on the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by persons, and includes one or more of the following offenses:
(1) 
Any conviction where state or federal law prohibits the applicant from being eligible for public housing; or
(2) 
Any conviction that leads to the applicant becoming a lifetime registered sex offender.
EVICTION FILING
A legal filing intended to start the process in which a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property.
EVIDENCE OF REHABILITATION
Includes, but is not limited to, a person's satisfactory compliance with all terms and conditions of parole or probation (however, an inability to pay fines, fees and restitution due to indigence shall not be considered regarding compliance with terms and conditions of parole or probation or both); employer recommendations, especially concerning a person's post-conviction employment; educational attainment or vocational or professional training since a conviction, including training received while incarcerated; completion or active participation in rehabilitative treatment, such as alcohol or drug treatment; letters of recommendation from community organizations, counselors or case managers, teachers, community leaders, or probation or per parole officers who have observed the applicant since their conviction; and the length of time since conviction or release from incarceration. Successful completion of parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post-release community supervision shall create a presumption of rehabilitation.
HOUSING FACILITY
Any dwelling unit or facility used or intended or designed to be used as the home, domicile or residence of one or more persons, including, but not limited to, a house, apartment, rooming house, housing cooperative, homeless shelter, hotel, motel, tourist home, retirement home or nursing home.
LANDLORD
Any owner, lessor, sublessor, managing agent, or company, or any other person that rents, leases, or approves the rental or lease of a housing facility, or makes tenancy decisions.
PUBLIC HOUSING
Rental housing facilities developed with federal, state, or local government (City or county) funding or which pay an annual service charge in lieu of taxes and are intended for eligible low-income individuals and families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION
The sale, exchange, rental or lease of real property.
RENTAL APPLICATION FEE
Any fee paid by an applicant to a landlord to permit a background check of the applicant before or after a leasehold contract is created.
SOURCE OF INCOME
Lawful verifiable income derived from wages, salaries or other compensation for employment, money derived from a gift or bequest, contract (including insurance proceeds), loan, or the settlement or award for a claim for personal injury. It also includes but is not limited to social security benefits, supplemental security income, unemployment benefits, retirement income, alimony, child support, Federal Housing Choice Voucher, Local Housing Assistance Fund Millage, or any other housing subsidy.
SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
An individual against whom any of the following acts were perpetrated by a person that was not an act of self-defense:
(1) 
Causing or attempting to cause physical or mental harm to a family or household member;
(2) 
Placing a family or household member in fear of physical or mental harm;
(3) 
Causing or attempting to cause a family or household member to engage in involuntary sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress; or
(4) 
Engaging in activity toward a family or household member that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, threatened, harassed, or molested.
(5) 
Conduct constituting sexual assault as described in MCLA §§ 750.520a to 750.520I.
(6) 
Conduct constituting stalking as defined at MCLA §§ 750.411h and 750.411i.