HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-21-2009 - 4gORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 21, 2009
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Fair Housing Month
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shoshannah Sayers, 960-3877
PURPOSE: To recognize and celebrate Fair Housing Month.
BACKGROUND: April 2009 marks the 41St anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968
and the 25th anniversary of the North Carolina Fair Housing Act, which provide for equal
opportunity in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. Human Rights and Relations is
charged with investigating housing discrimination complaints and has been investigating
complaints under a cooperative agreement with HUD since 1999. Over the past two years the
Department has witnessed a significant increase in the number of cases received and resolved.
Human Rights and Relations will celebrate Fair Housing Month by conducting the following
activities:
- Human Rights and Relations will organize the Fifth Annual Orange County Housing Fair
that will include representatives from all sectors of the community who provide housing or
housing related services. The Fair is intended to provide information to Orange County
residents on the myriad of fair and affordable housing services the County provides. This
event is co-sponsored by the Housing and Community Development Department.
- Human Rights and Relations will continue its campaign to educate the community about
fair housing rights. To this end, the Department has collaborated with the Southern
Coalition for Social Justice to release a report on Heirs' Property issues in Orange
County. Heirs'. Property is a rarely discussed Fair Housing issue leading to the loss of
family property by African American families -frequently property that the families have
owned since the late 1800s. The report sheds light on the fact that, even in Orange
County, this phenomenon is still alive and well. This is the first step in a Black Land Loss
Prevention effort designed to educate minority families about their property rights.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the proposed
proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A PROCLAMATION
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, April, 2009 marks the forty-first anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of
1964 and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the North Carolina Fair Housing Act
prohibiting discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, sex, religion,
national origin, handicap and familial status; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners enacted the Orange County Civil
Rights Ordinance on June 6,1994, which affords to the residents of Orange County
the protections guaranteed by the Federal Fair Housing Act and additionally
encompasses the protected classes of veteran status and age; and
WHEREAS, The Human Relations Commission and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board
actively work to increase housing affordability and availability in Orange County
and promote housing choice and inclusive neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, despite the protections afforded by the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance and
the Fair Housing Act as amended, illegal housing discrimination and housing
segregation still occur in our nation and in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, supporting and promoting housing affordability, choice and equal opportunity are
fundamental to achieving social justice;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do herby proclaim
Apri12oo9 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance to all
Orange County residents.
This the list day of April, 2009.
Valerie Foushee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A PROCLAMATION
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, April, 2009 marks the forty-first anniversary of the Federal Fair
Housing Act of 1964 and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the North
Carolina Fair Housing Act prohibiting discrimination in housing on
the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap and
familial status; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners enacted the Orange
County Civil Rights Ordinance on June 6,1994 Which affords to the
residents of Orange County the protections guaranteed by the
Federal Fair Housing Act and additionally encompasses the
protected classes of veteran status and age; and
WHEREAS, The Human Relations Commission and the Affordable Housing
Advisory Board actively work to increase housing affordability and
availability in Orange County and promote housing choice and
inclusive neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, despite the protections afforded by the Orange County Civil Rights
Ordinance and the Fair Housing Act as amended, illegal housing
discrimination and housing segregation still occur in our nation and
in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, supporting and promoting housing affordability, choice and equal
opportunity are fundamental to achieving social justice;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do
herby proclaim Apri12oo9 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and
commend this observance to all Orange County residents.
This the 21St day of April, 2009.
Valerie Foushee, air
Orange County Board of Commissioners