By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–April is National Fair Housing Month. The City of San Diego offers resources for residents, tenants, and housing providers to ensure equal housing opportunities in the community.
National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. This national law prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. California has additional protections for marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, or occupation.
The city is co-sponsoring the 9th annual Fair Housing Conference on April 17 and 18 with the San Diego Regional Alliance for Fair Housing and the San Diego Housing Federation. Kim Desmond, chief race and equity officer for the City of San Diego, will serve as the keynote speaker for the conference, which aims to explore critical fair housing issues with the theme: “Fair Housing: Leveling the Playing Field.”
“In San Diego, we believe that housing is a human right, and we want to help break down barriers that have historically prevented access to adequate housing,” said Desmond. “At the conference, we will focus on a comprehensive approach to housing to increase availability and affordability and to address historic inequities that created disparities and deterred opportunities to build generational wealth through homeownership. Housing as a human right includes understanding how adequate housing plays a significant role in providing access to city services, educational opportunities, health care, and economic stability needed for communities to thrive.”
The public can register for the conference by visiting the city’s website. Fair housing providers, developers, and property managers are strongly encouraged to attend.
Housing providers can learn more about the Fair Housing Act and state and federal laws related to housing discrimination by attending a free, two-hour webinar made possible through the City’s Economic Development Department Fair Housing Program. This workshop on April 24 will provide an opportunity to explore fair housing basics, disability-related protections, source of income protections, and more. Register to attend by visiting the cty’s Fair Housing Program webpage.
“The City of San Diego has always stood for fair and equitable housing opportunities,” said Christina Bibler, director of the Economic Development Department. “It’s important that people know their rights and these opportunities help our residents explore issues that affect housing in our city.”
The City of San Diego is committed to furthering fair housing efforts by promoting fair and equal housing opportunities for its residents. In collaboration with the City, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free community outreach and legal services to anyone who believes they have experienced housing discrimination harassment. The Fair Housing Hotline is another resource that can be reached at (844) 449-3500.
Funding for the city’s Fair Housing Program comes from Community Development Block Grant funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/fairhousing.
