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Meeting Date:	03/25/2024
56th Anniversary of Fair Housing Month
Submitted for:	Elisa Perez	Submitted By:	Elisa Perez
Department:	Water Utilities

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to proclaim April 2024 as the 56^th Anniversary of Fair Housing Month and April 8-12 as Fair Housing Week, and to designate the Webb County Community Action Agency to monitor Fair Housing in Webb Couny.

Issue: It is a federal requirement that Webb County promotes Fair Housing within its jurisdiction in order to continue to apply for grants.

Solution: The promotion of Fair Housing in Webb County and the designation for a week during April will help inform citizens of Webb County of their legal rights in housing discrimination.

Result: The federal requirement for Fair Housing will be met by promoting Fair Housing within Webb County’s jurisdiction, thus allowing Webb County to continue applying for grants.

Background:

In 1866, the Civil Rights Act made it illegal to discriminate in housing. President Lydon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law, prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin on April 11, 1968. In 1988, the Fair Housing Amendments Act expanded to include protection for persons with disabilities and families with children. The month of April was declared National Fair Housing Month in 1995 to raise awareness and strengthen the enforcement of fair housing laws.

Previous Court Action:

Every year during March, the Webb County Commissioner’s Court approves a resolution proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month and designates a week in April as Fair Housing Week. Webb County advertises in the Laredo Morning Times to promote Fair Housing practices and a Civil Rights notice; the County encourages potential homeowners and renters to be aware of their rights. Posters are displayed at the Webb County Courthouse on Fair Housing and literature is available to the public in English and Spanish.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	N/A
Funding Source:	N/A
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A