Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 21-036, PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2021 AS “FAIR HOUSING MONTH” (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
Every April, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), local communities, fair housing advocates, and fair housing organizations across the nation commemorate Fair Housing Month by hosting and conducting a variety of activities that enhance Americans’ awareness of their fair housing rights, highlight HUD’s fair housing enforcement efforts, and emphasize the importance of ending housing discrimination.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 21-036, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2021, TO BE “FAIR HOUSING MONTH””
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE no action on the matter.
IV. BACKGROUND
April 11, 2021 marks the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the federal Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This law puts into effect a national commitment to fair housing without regard to race, color, religion, gender national origin, familial status, or disability. This law and its subsequent amendments, along with the California Employment and Housing Act of 1963, as amended (which provides additional protections for fair housing without regard to marital status, age, source of income, sexual orientation, medical condition, or other arbitrary status), prohibit discrimination in the sale, rental, financing, and advertising of housing, and calls for equal opportunity for all citizens to obtain housing.
As a condition of receiving housing and community development funding from HUD, local governments such as the City of Carson are required to take steps to affirmatively further fair housing within their jurisdictions. One way in which the City fulfills this mandate is by providing a fair housing education, investigation, and enforcement program, which it has done through an annual contract with the Los Angeles-based Housing Rights Center.
The Carson City Council first adopted a resolution formally commemorating Fair Housing Month in 2017. However, given the diversity that we celebrate within this community, it is appropriate to consider adopting a resolution commemorating Fair Housing Month every year.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
No impact to the City.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution No. 21-036 (pgs. 3-4)
Prepared by: Saied Naaseh, Community Development Director and Keith Bennett, Community Development Department