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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: April 3, 2012 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ,~j - d <br />SUBJECT: Fair Housing Month <br />DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Community Development <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Proclamation Tara L. Fikes, 245-2492 <br />PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April 2012 as Fair Housing Month. <br />BACKGROUND: April 2012 marks the 44th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of <br />1968 and the 29th anniversary of the North Carolina Fair Housing Act, which sought to <br />eliminate housing discrimination and provide for equal opportunity in the sale, rental, and <br />financing of housing. <br />The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has chosen "Creating Equal <br />Opportunity in Every Communit~' as the theme of this year's Fair Housing Month. The <br />chosen theme is to indicate the importance of fair housing in the nation today and its impact in <br />every community. <br />Established in 1987, the Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC) is charged with <br />enforcing the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance that prohibits discrimination in housing and <br />public accommodations on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, familial status, national origin, <br />color, veteran's status and disability. <br />The HRC will continue its campaign to affirmatively further fair housing through education and <br />outreach efforts to Orange County residents, landlords, and management companies. These <br />efforts include, but are not limited to: responding to inquiries from property managers regarding <br />fair housing practices and procedures; making fair housing presentations at local non-profit <br />agencies' events, tenant groups/associations' meetings and statewide Hispanic events; and <br />responding to individual inquiries regarding fair housing issues. Additionally, fair housing <br />brochures, in Spanish and English, are distributed throughout the County in local grocery <br />stores, libraries, town/city halls, chambers of commerce, and churches. <br />Fair treatment, equal access and mutual respect are the benchmarks of the HRC's charge and <br />commitment; Through education, outreach and partnerships, the HRC works to prevent <br />discrimination and foster mutual understanding in Orange County. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the <br />proclamation. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation <br />and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation <br />