HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-02-2002 - 5c 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 2, 2002
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Fair Housing Month
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
• Proclamation Annette M. Moore, ext 2250
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To recognize, celebrate and proclaim April 2002 as Fair Housing Month.
BACKGROUND: April 2002 marks the 34th anniversary of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of
1968, the Federal Fair Housing Act, which provides for equal opportunity for all people in the
sale, rental, and financing of housing. The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing
discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, familial status and
handicap status. The Human Relations Commission has historically called upon the Orange
County Board of Commissioners to officially proclaim April as Fair Housing Month and does so
each year. The Commission will celebrate Fair Housing Month by conducting the following
activities:
➢ On April 7, 2002, the Human Relations Commission will host a discussion about
Predatory Lending at the Old Courthouse from 3-5pm. Stella Adams, Director of the
North Carolina Fair Housing Center and Board Member of the Community Reinvestment
Association of North Carolina, will be the featured speaker. Ms. Adams is a national
authority on Predatory lending, having testified before Congress and written several
articles on the subject.
➢ The Department is also co-sponsoring with El Centro Latino, St. Thomas More and the
Health Department "Feria de la Salud" (a Community Wellness Fair) on April 14, 2002
from 2:30 — 5:00 at St. Thomas More Gymnasium. Along with children's activities,
screenings and information about health and safety, department staff will be available to
diotribuie information and provide assistance LU a iendees about their rights under the
fair housing law.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the proposed
proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign it.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
WHEREAS, April,2002 marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968,
the Federal Fair Housing Act,which provides for equal opportunity for all people in the sale,
rental, and financing of housing, and prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race,
color,religion, sex, age,or national origin; and,
WHEREAS,the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 added familial status and handicap to those
classes protected by Title VIII and added strong new rights,remedies,monetary penalties,
and judicial and administrative enforcement procedures; 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, in spite 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;
NOW, THEREFORE, do we,the Commissioners of Orange County,proclaim April, 2002 as FAIR
HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance to all Orange County citizens.
This the 2nd day of April, 2002.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners