This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Presented by Mayor Brian J. Bagley on Tuesday evening, the Longmont City Council proclaimed April 2018 as Fair Housing Month.
According to the proclamation, "April 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which affirms the right of every citizen to obtain housing of their choice regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability or family status."
The proclamation further states that, according to the laws of the State of Colorado, "these laws prohibit discrimination and harassment in all aspects of housing, including sales and rentals, evictions, terms and conditions, mortgage loans and insurance, and land use and zoning and are a vital part of ensuring Longmont is a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone can belong."
Accepting the proclamation was Adriana Correa, the community relation specialist in the Office for the Community and Neighborhood Resources.
"Last week we trained over 70 landlords on fair housing. This program provides information to landlords with the goal of creating less conflict and more engagement around fair housing, which lays the foundation for building and integrated community," said Correa.
"Due to racial discrimination the gap between most angle families in America owning a home compared to that of Latinos and African-Americans is a wide disparity."
According to city council communication, "the Fair Housing Program provides education and awareness in the area of house discrimination."
