HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugusta Fair Housing Action Plan for 2004-2005
Augusta Richmond GA
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HOUSING AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Warren C. Smith
Director
AUf!usta Fair Housinf! Action Plan for 2004-05
(REVlDraft: 10/05/04)
Backe:round/Overview:
Fair housing is the right of all individuals for obtaining the housing of their choice, free from
discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. This right
is assured by the Federal Fair Housine: Act of 1968 as amended, and makes it unlawful to discriminate
in the sale, rental, fmancing and insuring of housing. Under the Fair Housing Act an aggrieved person
may, during a period of no later than one year after an alleged discriminatory act has occurred, file a
complaint directly with the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) or a State or
local agency enforcing laws that are "substantially equivalent" to the Federal Fair Housing Act. HUD
and/or the responsible State or local agency is then required to serve notice of the complaint and conduct
an investigation into the alleged discriminatory practice. Augusta currently has no local fair housing
ordinance and relies on State and Federal Law.
Statement of Commitment:
Augusta, GA is committed to promoting fair housing practices in this jurisdiction. It is the commitment of
the Mayor and Augusta Commission to ensure that no person is denied housing opportunities solely based
on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin, and that any such practices shall
be deemed illegal and appropriately dealt with under the law.
The Augusta Fair Housing Action Plan establishes ongoing activities, events and practices that are
intended to insure that the general public as well as housing industry representatives are aware of the law
as relates to fair housing, and that this education serve as a way to clearly put all persons on notice that
housing discrimination is illegal and will not be tolerated.
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Housing and Economic Development Department
925 Laney Walker Blvd., 2nd FloOT- Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-1797 - Fax (706) 821-1784
www.augustaga.gov
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Administration:
The Augusta Housing & Economic Development Department (AREDD) is the lead agency in the
jurisdiction for developing and maintaining the Augusta Fair Housing Action Plan. AHEDD shall work
closely with the Augusta Human Relations Commission (AHRC) and other entities to promote fair
housing through education and public information. The Department shall serve as the clearinghouse for
the fair housing technical assistance including the distribution of Fair Housing publications. The Human
Relations Commission shall serve as a complaint mediation and referral center (to State and Federal
investigative offices) in its role to assist consumers.
The following Action Plan shall guide the efforts of the AHEDD and AHRC in the area of Fair Housing
program management.
1) Schedule and Conduct Fair Housine: Trainine: throue:hout the year:
Lead Course/ Event/ Program Target Audience Comment Date
AHEDD Course: "Basic Fair Housing Realtors, Certification November
Law for Housing Apartment 2004
Pro fessi onals" managers, lenders
AHEDD Course: "Fair Housing: What General public, April
you Need to Know" Renters, potential 2005
homebuyers
AHEDD Course: "Basic Fair Housing Realtors, Certification April
Law for Housing Apartment 200~
Professionals" managers, lenders
AHRC/AHEDD Facilitated Program: Fair Real Estate To highlight June 2005
Housing, Diversity and the Professionals, importance of
Marketplace Business leaders, homeownership
Community & diversity in
leaders community life
as well as
salient laws
AHRC/ HEDD Facilitated Event: Augusta Real estate To review fair October
Fair Housing Symposium professionals, housing law; 2005
Business and assess where
Community Augusta stands
Leaders, public and what may
officials be needed to
ensure fair
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practices. Will
look at how
Augusta can
promote
diversity
AHEDD Course: "Fair Housing Law: General public; Certification December
A Refresher" housing 2005
specialists;
consumer
representatives
2) Conduct an Augusta Fair Housim! Svmoosium (See chart above). This event shall serve as an
opportunityfor the community at large to discuss and assess the current environment as relates to fair
housing. Concerns, salient issues and an action oriented set of proposals may be developed. This event
will serve as a way to evaluate whether current arrangements having to do with fair housing complaint
investigation and enforcement of the fair housing law are working or if administrative or other changes
are needed at the local level. There will also be a general discussion of the value of diversity in Augusta.
This forum may, after review, be extended to several subsequent sessions, community meetings or public
forums to gamer required additional guidance.
3) Promote Fair Housin!!: and Diversity through a local media campaign. The Directors of AHEDD
and AHRC shall join forces with the Mayor of Augusta to prepare and broadcast several television public
service announcements (PSAs) promoting fair housing and the value of diversity in our community.
Promotions will focus on our growth, economic potential and quality of life through being a community
open to and thriving on "the diversity of Augustans".
Theme: "Augusta is a Diverse Marketplace....andwe are Proud to
Make it Home...."
November 2004 February 2005 April 2005 August 2005 October 2005
Print Promotion PSA PSA& Print PSA
Print Promotion
promotion
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4) Launch campai2D to increase Homeownership Opportunities for lower income persons and
families (below $30k/ year)
5) Prepare a "State of Fair HousiD!! Report/ Statement" as part of AHEDD's Annual Report in
collaboration with the Augusta Human Relations Commission.
For more information about Fair and Affordable Housing issues, plans, programs or related questions,
please contact Warren C. Smith, Director, Augusta Housing & Economic Development Department at
(706) 821-1797.
Reference Document: "Augusta Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Study" (2003)
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Ratif~ta C:Sion and signed by Mayor
Mayor Bob Young
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