The Spokane City Council passed a new fair chance hiring ordinance during its legislative session this week.

In a 6-1 vote, council members passed the "ban the address" ordinance, which is intended to ensure that qualified job applicants aren't excluded from consideration based on their lack of a physical address or their housing status.

“This ordinance represents a major step forward, providing hope, dignity, and opportunity to workers who have faced challenges due to not having a permanent residence," says Council Member Paul Dillon in a press release.

According to the Spokane Human Rights Commission, houseless job applicants have faced discrimination when they provide the address of a shelter or a P.O. box.

The ordinance, if approved by Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, would prohibit employers from inquiring about an applicant's address or residency history until after a provisional offer of employment has been made.

The release states that the ordinance is the first of its kind in the country.