During a Special Council Presentation in April 2014, Mayor Jeff Porter took a moment to recognize the landmark federal Fair Housing Law and proclaimed the month of April, Fair Housing Month in the City of Homestead.
In the United States, the fair housing policies date largely from the 1960s. Originally, the terms “fair housing” and “open housing” came from a political movement of the time to outlaw discrimination in the rental or purchase of homes and a broad range of other housing-related transactions, such as advertising, mortgage lending, homeowner's insurance and zoning. The primary purpose of the Fair Housing Law of 1968 is to protect the buyer/renter of a dwelling from seller/landlord discrimination.
Mayor Porter addressed the chamber with a proclamation which read: “Whereas Aprill 11, 2014 marks the 46th anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Fair Housing Law, Title 8 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 as amended which enumerates a national policy of fair housing without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, family status and handicap and encourages fair housing opportunities for all citizens and whereas the Fair Housing Law is consistent with the principles of equality and justice for all and whereas the City of Homestead, the United States Dept. of Housing & Urban Development and the housing industry are working together to help others realize the dream of affordable housing for all residents and whereas the City of Homestead is committed to highlight the Fair Housing Law by addressing discrimination in our community and to support programs that will educate the public about the right to equal housing opportunities and to plan partnerships, efforts and other organizations to help assure every American of their right to fair housing.”
Mayor Porter then closed the presentation by officially proclaiming the month of April, Fair Housing Month in the City of Homestead and presenting the proclamation to City of Homestesd Director of Finance Carlos Perez.
