Agenda - 04-15-2008-3d - Laserfiche WebLink

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Oran a Coun North Carolina - AIFCH - 2007 9 tY, 2. What access do individuals with physical or mental disabilities have to housing? 3. Are regulations designed in a way that limits access to housing for protected classes? 4. What image does the community convey to the outside world? Are the models used to market the community representative of all races? 5. Do some areas within the community have a reputation that would discourage low- to- moderate-income persons or protected classes from attempting to live there? 6. With the pressure of a growing urban area, are minorities or low-to-moderate- income persons unable to consider significant areas in their housing search because there is no affordable housing? 7. Are any potential homeowners eliminating some affordable areas of the community because they would not be able to refinance or obtain adequate homeowner's insurance? S. Are some affordable areas of the community eliminated because there is inadequate access by public transportation? The perception that fair housing laws are only meant for minorities is misguided. Fair housing regulations protect every citizen and non-citizen of the United States, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, familial status (presence of children) or disability. These categories are known as protected classes. The fact that a community has a small minority population does not mean there aren't possible impediments to fair housing within their borders. It is important for the County to consider fair housing law as a guaranteed protection for all people. Only then can the community help its residents share in an important part of the American Dream-living where they choose, without regard to factors that may negatively impact upon them because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. 2.2 The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) The County has already completed an important part of its review of the community through the development of its Consolidated Plan, for Housing Activities. The AI will assist in developing a Fair Housing Action Plan that will be a cooperative part of the Comprehensive Plan as required by the Community Development Block Grant Program. This analysis helps develop an ongoing process for identifying fair housing concerns and problems in the County. It is also useful in developing a means to inform the citizens of the community about their fair housing rights and responsibilities. 3.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE FOR OR~4NGE COUNTY The AI includes: • Demographic and economic profiles of the community • Activities and issues concerning the local housing industry • Local lenders, zoning and housing regulations 3