A city committee may be looking to include the homeless population in an ordinance that would protect them from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation.

Division Manager for the Equal Opportunities Commission Marcus Miles said commission members are in the studying phase of this idea and still have to work out many of the details. He added the ultimate goal is to grant the homeless “a more meaningful protection in the city.”

“It’s a possibility the commissioner could pose and recommend some type of ordinance that would prohibit employers from using [homelessness] as a basis of discrimination,” Miles said.

The Equal Opportunity Ordinance was created in the 1960s and helps to protect certain groups from discrimination in housing accommodation and employment opportunities, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. He stressed Madison has a tradition of fostering equal opportunities for all its citizens, a value the ordinance promotes. He said the city has been tackling discrimination issues for the past 50 years.

Under the ordinance, Madison landlords and employers are prohibited from discriminating against groups like students. As a group, students have historically been well protected in Madison thanks to measures like the Equal Opportunity Ordinance.

If a citizen of Madison feels discriminated against, they can take it upon the city for review by filing a claim that may lead the commission to give them a monetary award, according to Verveer.

Miles said the commission is currently conducting investigations that will shed light on the benefits of incorporating the homeless as a protected class in the ordinance. The commission also regularly makes recommendations to Mayor Paul Soglin’s office and studies equal opportunity issues arising across the city. 

The ultimate result of the commission’s efforts may serve as a referral or recommendation to Soglin about how increased protection of the homeless can proceed, Miles said.

Verveer said including the homeless population under the ordinance sounds like a fair proposal. 

“Madison has a strong, proud tradition of protecting equal opportunities for all segments of the community, and we likely have one of the largest collections of protected classes,” Verveer said. “This seems like a logical progression to ensure that people are not discriminated against based on their housing status.”

Verveer said unfortunately, many homeless people are discriminated against in various ways. He noted they often have a harder time finding a job and housing than others, 

Miles said the proposal will likely be addressed at the next Equal Opportunities Commission meeting onDec. 13. Before it is referred to the City Council, the addition will have to go through the city attorney’s office, Miles said.