Krystal R. Britton is the City of Hinesville's public relations manager.
"Everyone has the right to live where he or she can afford" is something you have probably already heard, but believe it or not, there are still some people who are denied this right. For this reason, the Hinesville Community Development Department is celebrating Fair Housing Month during the month of April to commemorate the passage of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Federal Fair Housing Law, and raise awareness about fair housing.
“April is nationally, and we’re marking the 44th Anniversary of this landmark case with an increased commitment to educating our community,” said Kenneth K. Howard, Hinesville’s assistant city manager and community development department director. “Hinesville is a rapidly growing city, with many housing choices. We are advocates for educating our residents, landlords, realtors, lenders and others about this law.”
The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in housing transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or family status. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website, more than 10,000 cases of housing discrimination are reported annually.
“The City of Hinesville supports the efforts of local agencies, non-profits, the private sector, and individuals in ensuring compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Law,” Hinesville Mayor James Thomas said after signing the 2012 Fair Housing Month Proclamation for the city. “We hope everyone will join us in affirming the right for people to live where they can afford without encountering discrimination.”
Hinesville’s awareness campaign includes a public billboard sharing the fair housing message, a mayoral proclamation signing, and its annual fair housing symposium. The will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17 at in Warriors Lounge on Fort Stewart. Melvin J. Everson, executive Director and administrator of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, will be the keynote speaker. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
To learn more about Fair Housing Month in Hinesville, visit www.cityofhinesville.org/communitydevelopment or call (912) 876-6573.
For more information about the Fair Housing Act, including summaries of recent housing discrimination cases, go to www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
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