HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-07-2015 - 4cORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 7, 2015
Action Agenda
Item No. 4 -c
SUBJECT: Fair Housing Month
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N)
Community Development
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation James Davis, 245 -2488
1
No
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April as Fair Housing Month 2015 in
Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The month of April is National Fair Housing Month. April 2015 will mark the
47th anniversary of the enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 32nd
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 Iff 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 residents 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 have a table at the County Expo on Friday, April 10, 2015 where it will present
information about the federal and local fair housing laws. The HRC's mascot, Franklin the Fair
Housing Fox, will greet children and adults and give out buttons that promote the fair and equal
treatment of all persons. 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, Burmese 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.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, April 2015 marks the 47d' anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the
32nd 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 of 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 2015 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance
to all Orange County residents.
This the 7" day of Ap ril 2015.
Earl McKee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners