COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chenin Dow, Community Development Director
DATE: April 7, 2026
SUBJECT: Proclamation Proclaiming April 2026 as “Fair Housing Month”
The City Council will present a Proclamation to recognize the month of April 2026 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 disa bility 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 (AI) to Fair Housing Choice every five years . The AI was updated and submitted to HUD in May of 202 0. 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 an annual agreement with Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County (Legal Aid) to provide fai r housing services in the City. Legal Aid reviews online housing postings for discriminatory content, conducts fair housing testing of apartment complexes in the City, offers free tenants’ rights workshops in several languages, and provides legal represent ation 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 enfo rcement actions necessary to protect equal opportunity to housing in Santa Maria.
2 HUD annually observes the month of April as “Fair Housing Month” on a national level.
According to HUD, equal access to rental housing and homeownership opportunities is the 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 residents value. Therefore, the City of Santa Maria issues a pr oclamation declaring April as “Fair Housing Month” in the community.
Proclamation Requested by: Rosie Rojo, Community Programs Manager
Attachment: Proclamation