Industry News // April 5, 2021
Celebrating Fair Housing Month 2021
April is Fair Housing Month
The Washington County CDA celebrates the anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, enacted on April 11, 1968, to eliminate racial segregation and end housing discrimination in the United States. The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities; and commits recipients of federal funding to affirmatively further fair housing in their communities. Washington County CDA is committed to advancing equity in housing and the importance of increasing public awareness of everyone’s right to fair housing.
The CDA has implemented goals and strategies to combat impediments to fair housing choice and promote access to affordable housing for all. These goals include continuous evaluation of our own program policies and procedures; promotion of equal housing opportunities in CDA-funded developments; and ongoing activities and training for staff that highlight fair housing enforcement efforts, enhance awareness of fair housing rights, and emphasize the importance of ending housing discrimination. The CDA also participates in a region-wide effort to promote fair housing through the Fair Housing Implementation Council.
More than fifty years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, discrimination persists, and many communities remain segregated. The Washington County CDA recognizes the work ahead in eliminating housing discrimination and is committed to supporting our communities by providing affordable housing, services, and equal opportunities to all. The Washington County CDA is dedicated to furthering fair housing, and to promoting appropriate activities by private and public entities to provide and advocate for equal housing opportunities for all residents and prospective residents of Washington County. People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Offices of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 or online at hud.gov/fair housing or Minnesota Department of Human Services.