Arienne Childrey's Plan: Putting Families First and Strengthening Our Communities
Ohio RISE Act: Rental Income Source Equality
Introduction:
As your candidate for Ohio House District 84, I'm fighting for practical solutions that put families first and strengthen our communities. Fairness means no one gets left behind—whether it's a veteran using benefits, a working parent with housing assistance, or a small landlord trying to keep units filled. That's why I'm proud to champion the Ohio RISE Act – Rental Income Source Equality. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation ends unfair discrimination against tenants with lawful sources of income like Section 8 vouchers, while protecting property owners and encouraging more housing options right here in Mercer, Auglaize, and surrounding counties.
Why the Ohio RISE Act Matters for Ohio's 84th
Too many good tenants are turned away simply because they use reliable government-backed payments—vouchers that guarantee on-time rent straight from HUD. This leads to empty units for landlords and unstable housing for families. Local successes in places like Columbus and Akron show these protections work without chaos. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has called for statewide action, and the RISE Act delivers it the right way: market-friendly reforms that fill vacancies faster, reduce turnover, and support self-reliance. It's not about forcing anyone—it's about removing roadblocks so everyone wins.
Key Provisions of the Ohio RISE Act
1. Ends Unfair Discrimination:
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Prohibits landlords from refusing to rent, posting exclusions (e.g., "No Section 8"), or applying different rules based solely on a tenant's lawful source of income—including housing vouchers, veterans' benefits, SSI/SSDI, child support, and more.
2. Preserves Full Landlord Control:
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Owners keep the right to screen for credit, rental history, references, and other neutral criteria. No lowered standards—just equal treatment for qualified applicants.
3. Strong Protections for Small Landlords:
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Exempts owners with 4 or fewer units (or 3 in owner-occupied buildings), so rural and family-run properties aren't burdened.
4. Incentives That Make Participation Easy:
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Tax credits or rebates (up to $1,000 per unit) for first-time voucher landlords.
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Grants to help cover minor upgrades needed for inspections.
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Requirements for housing authorities to speed up processes (e.g., virtual inspections, dedicated support staff) and reduce delays.
5. Transparent & Balanced Enforcement:
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Managed through the existing Ohio Civil Rights Commission with warnings for first offenses and scaled penalties. Annual reports track progress and ensure accountability.
6. Built for the Long Term:
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Includes a 5-year review clause so we can measure results and make data-driven adjustments.
Real Benefits for District 84 Families, Landlords, and Our Economy:
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For Tenants & Families: More stable housing options mean fewer evictions, better access to jobs and schools, and support for veterans, seniors, and working parents—helping break cycles of hardship.
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For Landlords & Property Owners: Guaranteed payments lower financial risks, cut vacancy losses, and attract reliable tenants in a tough market. States with similar laws see voucher acceptance jump 10-20%.
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For Our Communities: Filled homes boost local spending, workforce participation, and property values. It's a pro-growth, pro-family approach that aligns with Ohio values of hard work and opportunity.
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Bipartisan Common Ground: Builds on existing local wins, adds landlord incentives, and avoids heavy-handed mandates—perfect for working across the aisle.
The Ohio RISE Act is about fairness, family stability, and a stronger future for the 84th District—no exceptions, no one left behind. As your representative, I'll push this forward with real solutions that help everyone rise together.
Join the movement—support the RISE Act today!
Visit ariennechildrey.com to learn more, sign up to volunteer, donate, or spread the word. Follow
@Ari4Ohio on X for updates. Together, let's build a better Ohio. Fairness. Family. Future.