HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-01-2025; 8-i - Fair Housing Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 1, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-i
SUBJECT: Fair Housing Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Housing
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Blake Rosser, Housing Director, 919-
Proclamation 245-2492
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in Orange
County.
BACKGROUND: The month of April is National Fair Housing Month. April 2025 will mark the
57t" anniversary of the enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 31 St anniversary
of the Fair Housing portion of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance. These laws grant every
person a right to live where they choose, free from discrimination on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, religion, familial status, or disability. The Orange County Civil Rights
Ordinance, established in 1987, adds additional protection from discrimination based on age and
veterans status.
Orange County will continue to strive toward providing the best possible assistance to residents
with any type of discrimination complaint.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the consideration of the
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 3: HOUSING FOR ALL
OBJECTIVE 5. Review County ordinances, policies, agreements, and the regulatory
processes to streamline practices, and increase opportunities and reduce barriers to
construct housing.
OBJECTIVE 7. Expand resources and invest in housing designed for our aging and
disabled residents.
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 11, 2025 marks the 57th anniversary of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of
1968 (formally known as the Fair Housing Act) and the 42nd anniversary of the
North Carolina Fair Housing Act prohibiting discrimination in housing on the basis
of race, color, sex,religion, national origin, disability 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 the Fair Housing Act and additionally encompasses
the protected classes of Veteran Status and Age; and
WHEREAS,Orange County and the U. S. 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,the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development annually declares the
month of April as National Fair Housing Month; and
WHEREAS, despite the protections afforded by the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance and
the Fair Housing Act, illegal housing discrimination still occurs in our nation and
within our County; and
WHEREAS,by supporting and promoting fair housing and equal opportunity, we are
contributing to the strength of our County, State and Nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County North
Carolina, do proclaim April 2025 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH and commend this observance
to all Orange County residents.
This the 1st day of April 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners