HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-01-2014 - 4a 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 1, 2014
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Fair Housing Month
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation James Davis, 245-2488
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April as Fair Housing Month in Orange
County, NC.
BACKGROUND: The month of April is National Fair Housing Month. April 2014 will mark the
46th anniversary of the enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 31St
anniversary of the North Carolina Fair Housing Act. These Acts grant every person a right to
live where they choose, free from discrimination on the basis race, color, national origin, sex,
religion, familial status, or disability.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has chosen "Fair Housing is Your
Right. Use It!" as the theme of this year's Fair Housing Month. The chosen theme indicates
the importance of fair housing in the nation today and encourages all people to exercise this
right.
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 host a reception on Thursday, April 10, 2014 where it will present information to
realtors and housing providers about the status of fair housing in Orange County. The event is
open to the public. In its continuing effort to reduce the incidences of housing discrimination,
the HRC will make fair housing presentations throughout the year for residents and housing
practitioners, and will distribute fair housing brochures and posters throughout the County,
including versions translated in Spanish and Karen. The HRC will also investigate all
complaints of housing discrimination filed within the 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 2014 marks the 46th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the
31" 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 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 our nation and
in our County; and
WHEREAS, by supporting and promoting fair housing and equal opportunity, we are
contributing to the health of our County, State and Nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina, do proclaim April 2014 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance
to all Orange County residents.
This the Is'day of April 2014.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners