Lawrence City Hall is pictured in this file photo.

City leaders will soon consider prohibiting landlords from denying prospective tenants based solely off their use of a government housing voucher or other forms of rental assistance, as well as other statuses.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider amending city code to “provide equal opportunity to obtain housing regardless of source of income or status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking,” according to a city staff memo. The commission will also receive a presentation from the Human Relations Commission regarding additional policy recommendations.

The Human Relations Commission has been studying the issue for two years, and prepared the recommended policy changes in collaboration with community members working in the housing field, according to the memo. The memo states the prohibitions included in the draft ordinance that will be considered Tuesday would have an immediate effect.

“These specific recommendations provide an opportunity to immediately decrease barriers to housing,” the memo states. “Enacting these specific protections will improve positive outcomes for individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness as well as housing stress.”

Enforcement of the new protections would fall under the city’s current ordinance and complaint process. Currently, the city prohibits discrimination against persons by reason of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity. Under that process, the Human Relations Commission “works to eliminate discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing by accepting, investigating, ruling upon, and resolving complaints,” according to the city’s website. City staff recommends adoption of the ordinance.

As part of Tuesday’s meeting, a representative of the Human Relations Commission will also present an overview of the full set of policy recommendations developed over the previous two years. Those discussions have included setting a time limit for how long someone must disclose rental history/evictions and criminal history. City staff will be looking to hear from the commission regarding whether the commission wants to proceed with additional recommendations.

The Lawrence City Commission will convene at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.