KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A federal court suspends a Kansas City program that supporters say is designed to create more affordable housing.

Members of the Kansas City Council approved the program a year ago. It took effect in August. The program banned landlords from discriminating against people who use housing vouchers to pay rent.

Two Kansas City landlords filed the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ordinance. It argues that the ordinance forces landlords to participate in the Section 8 program.

According to the lawsuit, city code already prohibited landlords from refusing to rent to tenants based on their source of income, as long as it is legal. It also stated that a landlord should not be required to participate in a subsidy program, including Section 8 housing.

The plaintiffs also argue federal statue makes participation in the Section 8 program voluntary. If the city requires participation, landlords would have to meet additional housing standards and sign separate contracts.

The federal court sided with the plaintiffs and temporarily suspended the part of the program that addresses Section 8 vouchers and housing. The program will be on hold until the conclusion of litigation, according to the court’s decision.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas disagrees with the move.

“I can only hope that landlords spend time this winter working with the City, housing advocates in our community, and their renters to help people get and stay off the streets here in Kansas City, rather than looking to close the door to housing access through high-priced lobbyists and lawyers at our legislatures and in our courts,” Lucas said.

The decision jeopardizes housing access to more than 17,000 Kansas Citians waiting to use housing vouchers the mayor said.

A statement from the mayor’s office said the city immediately suspended the enforcement of the housing voucher portion of the lawsuit.