Council Backs Housing Vouchers

The City Council has voted overwhelmingly to override Mayor Michael Bloomberg's veto of a bill that forces landlords to accept a federal housing voucher known as Section 8.

The bill's sponsor, Councilman Bill DeBlasio, says too many landlords discriminate against low-income families who receive Section 8. He says a recent analysis of real estate ads proves his point.

DEBLASIO: Because it pointed out the number of advertisements, whether in the newspapers or Craigslist, wherever, that said literally overtly "no programs allowed." No Section 8 allowed and I said, "anything that says 'no blank allowed' should be problematic in our society."

REPORTER: The Rent Stabilization Association opposes the bill and says it's not fair to force owners to get involved in a government program that can be an administrative nightmare.