HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-15-2005-6bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 15, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. ~_
SUBJECT: Fair
Month
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Milan Pham, 960-3877
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To recognize and celebrate Fair Housing Month.
BACKGROUND: April 2005 marks the 37th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of
1968 and the 21St anniversary of the North Carolina Fair Housing Act, which provide for equal
opportunity in the sale, rental, and financing of housing, The Commission will celebrate Fair
Housing Month by conducting the following activities:
- The Department of Human Rights and Relations in collaboration with the Department of
Housing and Community Development will organize the 2005 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. The Fair is scheduled to take place at university Mall from 10:OOa.m,
to 3:OOp,m, Saturday April 23, 2005.
- The Department of Human Rights will begin a campaign to educate landlords and
management companies on their obligations under the Fair Housing Act, Civil Rights
Specialists will be meeting with landlords and management staff of the major apartment
complexes in the County to inform them about their duty to refrain from discrimination,.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the proposed
proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it,
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A PROCLAMATION
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, April, 2005 marks the thirty-seventh anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of
1964 and the 22nd amniversary 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, 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 protections 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;
WHEREAS, by supporting and promoting fair housing and equal opportunity, we are
contributing to the health of our County, State and Nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, do we, the Commissioners of Orange County, proclaim Apri12005 as
FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance to all Orange County
citizens.
Tlus the 15a~ day of March.
Moses Carey, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners