FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 19, 2022
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION — "FAIR HOUSING MONTH" APRIL 2022 RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council recognize the month of April 2022 as "Fair Housing Month" in the City of Santa Maria and encourage the continued celebration of equal housing opportunities and the progress made in opening the doors to housing opportunities for all residents of Santa Maria.
BACKGROUND:
Established by Congress in 1968, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of any dwelling based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
In 1988, the law was expanded to prohibit discrimination based on disability and familial status. Additionally, California State law prohibits housing discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, and source of income.
DISCUSSION:
To receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds, the City is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to complete an Analysis of Impediments (Al) to Fair Housing Choice every five years. The Al was updated and submitted to HUD in May of 2020. It includes not only the identification of impediments to fair housing choice, but also an action plan to overcome those impediments.
The City also executes a renewable contract agreement with Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County (Legal Aid) to provide fair housing services in the City. Legal Aid reviews online housing postings for discriminatory content, conducts fair housing testing of apartment complexes in the City, and provides legal representation to families or individuals who are facing unlawful discrimination.
Legal Aid's goal is to educate landlords and tenants about fair housing rights and responsibilities, negotiate mutually agreeable resolutions to disputes, and if necessary, take enforcement actions necessary to protect equal opportunity to housing in Santa Maria. For the past two years, Legal Aid has been instrumental in providing Santa Maria residents with information related to COVID-19 and the federal, state, and local eviction moratoriums that were implemented since the pandemic began in March 2020.
HUD annually observes the month of April as "Fair Housing Month" on a national basis.
According to HUD, equal access to rental housing and homeownership opportunities is a cornerstone of federal housing policy. When people feel welcomed in their neighborhood, they invest resources back into the community, and in turn, make it an appealing place for diverse and talented people to live. Housing discrimination is not only illegal, but it also contradicts the principles of freedom and opportunity that Americans treasure. Therefore, the City of Santa Maria issues a proclamation declaring April as "Fair Housing Month" in the community.
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ROSIE ROJO
Community Projects Manager
CHUEN NG
Director of Community Development
City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
Santa Maria
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WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria recognizes that the United States Congress enacted Tide VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which was amended by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, as the directive for Fair Housing; and WHEREAS, Fair Housing laws outlined by said Acts guarantee the rights of equal housing opportunities for all residents of the United States, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development declares the month of April 2022 as "Fair Housing Month"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria contracts with the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County to perform random testing of fair housing practices of landlords and property managers; reviews local newspapers for evidence of housing discrimination; assists in resolving discrimination disputes through litigation or referral; makes presentations to Santa Maria adult education classes regarding rights of single parents and ethnic minorities to equal housing opportunities; and conducts community workshops to educate landlords and property managers regarding fair housing.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria, do hereby recognize the month of April 2022, as:
"FAIR HOUSING MONTH"
in the City of Santa Maria and encourage the continued celebration of equal housing opportunities and the progress made in opening the doors to housing opportunities for all residents of Santa Maria.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto on this 19th day of April 2022.
Mayor