Friday a group of interested people from government, business, and private concerns met to discuss the issues surrounding Fair Housing.
Chattanooga has for the last 3 years held a luncheon to focus attention on the issue of Fair Housing. The luncheon is held in April to coincide with National Fair Housing Month. This year the luncheon commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Legistaltion.
The issues that were disussed were how to make next year's event better. A major concern was to improve turnout, but also to provide better access to information for those who might be suffering from discriminatory acts.
The focus of the discussion was also towards seeking ways to help with access to programs that exist to encourage home ownership. Many people are not necessarily denied access because of discrimination, but because of a lack of information and guidance.
The discussion went to the issue of discrimination, which is more of a problem than I had realized, judging from the accounts of many who took part in the meeting. Much of the discrimination had to do with landlord/tenant relations, but much also involved home purchases. This is especially true in relation to directing someone from or to certain neighborhoods. Comments were also made to the effect that mortgage terms are often not the same for minorities.
A related blog thread has been initiated by Anthony Clark. His blog thread is http://activerain.com/blogsview/37047/Hate-bigotry-discrimination-Oh. There have been many posted comments on that thread.
At the meeting in Chattanooga, we discussed issues of race, gender, disability. Anthony's blog thread is focusing on sexual preference, but he is fundamentally discussing discrimination in all forms.
Our group made specific mention of systematic and subtle discriminations, many of which are committed unaware.
It is an important matter. I was honored to be invited to the meeting, and fortunate to have gained some new insight.
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Fair Housing is such an important issue, it's great to see your community's commitment to fighting discrimination and promoting home-buying programs. Eric Koder on AR has written some great posts you might want to check out too!
Thanks Diane,
It is simply the right thing. But also, in an age where there is so much opportunity for connections, and so much trouble that results from a lack of connection, and in a market where we simply and practically need more qualified buyers, Fair Housing just makes personal and business good sense.
It is not any more just an idea of helping those who are less fortunate. It is now also an idea of helping ourselves and our community as we simply allow others their rightful place.
And thanks for the complement about Chattanooga, I am proud of this little town.
I have not looked up Eric Koder, but I will.
Richard
Richard I commend you and the other business leaders in your community for creating awareness around the issue of discrimination. Hopefully the turnout will improve so that you can reach more folks.
Anthony,
We will see how sustained the effort is with this committee. I am new to it. This is becoming an annual event, but they are ready to have it involve more people.
I am ready for it to be more than an event that happens once a year.
Thanks,
Richard
Richard, here are the links to a series of posts I uploaded here last fall:
Interview With HUD Enforcement Division Spokesman - HUD Monitoring the Internet for Fair Housing Violations
Contribute Your Questions for HUD Interview - Opportunity to Ask HUD Your Fair Housing Questions!
Is it Condoning Racism to Ignore It? It's Time to Speak Out on Fair Housing Laws and Issues!
Eric Kodner
Eric,
This is an important issue, and evidently one that has been raised frequently in this forum. Thanks for the links, and especially the multiple links to the many resources. I will provide that information to my group.
I hope that the effort continues in Chattanooga.
Richard