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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 1, 2014 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <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 James Davis, 245-2488 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April as Fair Housing Month in Orange <br /> County, NC. <br /> BACKGROUND: The month of April is National Fair Housing Month. April 2014 will mark the <br /> 46th anniversary of the enactment of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 31St <br /> anniversary of the North Carolina Fair Housing Act. These Acts grant every person a right to <br /> live where they choose, free from discrimination on the basis race, color, national origin, sex, <br /> religion, familial status, or disability. <br /> The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has chosen "Fair Housing is Your <br /> Right. Use It!" as the theme of this year's Fair Housing Month. The chosen theme indicates <br /> the importance of fair housing in the nation today and encourages all people to exercise this <br /> right. <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 host a reception on Thursday, April 10, 2014 where it will present information to <br /> realtors and housing providers about the status of fair housing in Orange County. The event is <br /> open to the public. In its continuing effort to reduce the incidences of housing discrimination, <br /> the HRC will make fair housing presentations throughout the year for residents and housing <br /> practitioners, and will distribute fair housing brochures and posters throughout the County, <br /> including versions translated in Spanish and Karen. The HRC will also investigate all <br /> complaints of housing discrimination filed within the 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 />