Grand Rapids — Ch. 160 Discrimination in Real Property Transactions § 9.362
Policy
Operative Text
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the City of Grand Rapids, in the exercise of its police power for the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare, for the maintenance of business and good government, and for the promotion of the City's trade, commerce and manufacture, to assure equal opportunity to all persons to live in adequate housing facilities regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, disability, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of lawful income or public assistance recipient status, and to that end, prohibit discrimination in housing.
Grand Rapids Chapter 160, § 9.362 establishes the city's foundational policy that every person has an equal opportunity to access adequate housing, regardless of characteristics such as race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of lawful income. The provision frames housing discrimination as a matter of public health, safety, and general welfare, giving the city authority to act against it. This policy statement sets the tone and legal basis for the more specific anti-discrimination rules that follow in Chapter 160.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Grand Rapids Ch. 160, § 9.362, the city's declared policy means that property owners and managers operating in Grand Rapids are expected to provide equal access to housing across a notably broad set of protected characteristics — including source of lawful income and public assistance recipient status, which extend beyond many state and federal lists. Compliant operators generally review their tenant screening criteria, advertising practices, and lease terms to ensure none of these characteristics serve as a basis for differential treatment. Familiarity with this policy provision helps operators understand the scope of protections that the more specific rules in Chapter 160 are designed to enforce.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Grand Rapids Ch. 160, § 9.362 reflects the city's commitment to ensuring that residents can seek housing without facing discrimination based on a wide range of characteristics, including height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, and source of lawful income — protections that go beyond many federal and state baselines. Tenants who believe they have experienced housing discrimination in Grand Rapids may have grounds to raise a violation under Chapter 160 as a defense or to pursue a complaint through the appropriate city process. Local tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help individuals understand how this policy provision connects to the specific enforcement mechanisms available under the broader Chapter 160 framework.
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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