Grand Rapids — Ch. 160 Discrimination in Real Property Transactions § 9.361
Findings of Fact
Operative Text
(1) That the population of the City of Grand Rapids consists of people of nearly every race, color, religion, ancestry and national origin, of varying ages and genders, of married and non-married persons, of disabled and nondisabled persons, and of those receiving various sources of lawful income including public assistance. Many of these persons are compelled to live in circumscribed areas, under substandard, unhealthy, unsafe, unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions, at least in part because of discrimination in the sale, lease, rental and financing of housing. (2) That these conditions have substantially increased mortality, disease, crime, vice and juvenile delinquency, fires and risk of fires, inter-group tensions and other evils, all of which is detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare of the City of Grand Rapids. (3) That the harmful effects produced by discrimination in housing increase the cost of government and reduce the public revenues, thus imposing financial burdens upon the public for the relief and amelioration of the conditions so created. (4) That discrimination in housing adversely affects the continued redevelopment, renewal, growth and progress of the City of Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids City Code § 9.361 sets out the legislative findings that underpin the city's fair housing law. It documents that housing discrimination forces many residents — across race, religion, gender, disability status, source of income, and other characteristics — into substandard and overcrowded conditions. The provision further recognizes that these conditions carry broad public costs, including harm to public health, increased government expenditure, and damage to the city's overall development and renewal.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 9.361 establishes the city's formal rationale for its anti-discrimination rules in real property transactions, signaling that Grand Rapids treats fair housing as a matter of public welfare, not merely private rights. Operators who understand this legislative backdrop generally recognize that discriminatory practices in the sale, lease, rental, or financing of housing are treated as community-wide harms under Grand Rapids law. Familiarity with these findings helps property owners and managers appreciate the seriousness with which the city approaches enforcement of the broader Chapter 160 framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9.361 reflects Grand Rapids' official recognition that housing discrimination is a systemic harm affecting health, safety, and economic opportunity for residents across many protected characteristics, including source of lawful income such as public assistance. Tenants who believe they have experienced discrimination in the sale, lease, rental, or financing of housing may find that this foundational provision supports complaints brought under Chapter 160. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with the city, contacting a local fair housing organization, or consulting a tenant-rights resource familiar with Grand Rapids ordinances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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