Venice: Errors Cited in Selecting Renters

I wish to address some of the concerns touched on in the article written about the proposed subsidized housing projects at Fourth and Rose in Venice (“25-Unit Low-Income Housing Project Moves Forward Despite Opposition.’ Dec. 8). The developers have designed their units for working families, but seemingly have not done their homework.

It is illegal to discriminate against prospective renters on the basis of their source of income. In other words, if the prospective tenant’s income is from AFDC, disability, a trust fund, alimony, gifts, student loans, an allowance, residuals from porn movies, they cannot be excluded on the basis of not working.

Secondly, what constitutes a family? Once again they are on shaky ground. Marriage and biological relationship are not valid criteria for denying a rental. Children are not essential for a group to be defined as a family.

Venice Community Housing would be acting illegally by screening people on the basis of their lifestyles. The Manson family has the same legal rights as the Nelson family.

MARY JEAN STEWART

Venice