HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-03-2012 - 5dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 3, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. ,~j - d
SUBJECT: Fair Housing Month
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Tara L. Fikes, 245-2492
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April 2012 as Fair Housing Month.
BACKGROUND: April 2012 marks the 44th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of
1968 and the 29th anniversary of the North Carolina Fair Housing Act, which sought to
eliminate housing discrimination and provide for equal opportunity in the sale, rental, and
financing of housing.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has chosen "Creating Equal
Opportunity in Every Communit~' as the theme of this year's Fair Housing Month. The
chosen theme is to indicate the importance of fair housing in the nation today and its impact in
every community.
Established in 1987, the Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC) is charged with
enforcing the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance that prohibits discrimination in housing and
public accommodations on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, familial status, national origin,
color, veteran's status and disability.
The HRC will continue its campaign to affirmatively further fair housing through education and
outreach efforts to Orange County residents, landlords, and management companies. These
efforts include, but are not limited to: responding to inquiries from property managers regarding
fair housing practices and procedures; making fair housing presentations at local non-profit
agencies' events, tenant groups/associations' meetings and statewide Hispanic events; and
responding to individual inquiries regarding fair housing issues. Additionally, fair housing
brochures, in Spanish and English, are distributed throughout the County in local grocery
stores, libraries, town/city halls, chambers of commerce, and churches.
Fair treatment, equal access and mutual respect are the benchmarks of the HRC's charge and
commitment; Through education, outreach and partnerships, the HRC works to prevent
discrimination and foster mutual understanding in Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, April 2012 marks the 44th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and
the 29th 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, on June 6, 1994, enacted
the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, which affords to the residents
of Orange County the protections guaranteed by Title VIII and additionally
encompasses the protected classes of veteran status and age; and
WHEREAS, Orange County and the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development as well as concerned residents and the housing industry are
working to make fair housing opportunities possible for everyone by
encouraging others to abide by the letter and the spirit of fair housing
laws; and
WHEREAS, despite the protection afforded by the Orange County Civil Rights
Ordinance and Title VIII as amended, illegal housing discrimination still
occurs in the Nation and in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, by supporting and promoting fair housing and equal opportunity, we are
contributing to the health of the County, State and Nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina, proclaim April 2012 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this
observance to all Orange County residents.
This the 3`d day of April, 2012.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners