A. The City Council finds that discrimination against families or other living groups with minor children (hereinafter jointly "family" or "families") and students in the leasing and renting of housing accommodations exists within the City. The council further finds that the existence of such discrimination poses a substantial threat to the health and welfare of a sizeable segment of the community, namely, families with minor children and students.

B. The council finds that a shortage of housing exists within the City. The council further finds that a low vacancy rate exists in all rental housing throughout Berkeley particularly housing suitable for families and students with limited incomes. The addition of discrimination against students and against families to the above two factors further exacerbates the limited availability of rental housing to such persons.

C. The overall effect of discrimination against families is to encourage the flight of families from the City and to further diminish family-oriented neighborhoods. It has an overall detrimental effect on the composition of the City, the stability of neighborhoods, the preservation of family life within the City, the living conditions of our children, the quality of our schools, and the viability of children’s activities and organizations.

D. Discrimination against students also has a detrimental effect on the composition of the City, has resulted in an increase in the number of students who are forced to find housing outside of the City and such factor contributes to an increased demand for public transportation services and competition for off-street parking within the City.

E. Discrimination against families and students falls most heavily on the poor but cuts across all racial, ethnic and economic levels. (Ord. 5655-NS § 1 (part), 1985)