LANSING — As part of House Democrats’ comprehensive Supporting MI Veterans package, aimed at increasing support for Michigan’s brave men and women in uniform when they return home, state Rep. Wendell Byrd (D-Detroit) unveiled his bill today to ensure that an active duty member of the armed forces, or veteran who received an honorable or general administrative discharge from active duty, will not be discriminated against when trying to access new housing by adding military status to the housing section of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

“Service to your country is a great honor and those who step up should never be discriminated against or disrespected,” said Byrd. “Unfortunately, this happens entirely too often to veterans and active duty service members looking for new housing. It is my hope that we can come together to pass this whole package so Michigan’s veterans and active duty service members will know that we have their six.”

Michigan is home to the 11th largest veteran population in the nation, with over 550,000 veterans accounting for over 7 percent of the state’s adult population. The Supporting MI Veterans package aims to provide comprehensive support from waiving teaching license and medical record fees, providing property tax credits and free public transportation, to creating a special hotline for reporting instances of abuse, neglect or exploitation.