City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria recognizes that the United States Congress enacted Title 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 2024 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 hou sing 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 2024, 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 2nd day of April 2024.
Alice M. Patino, Mayor