NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH

 Let’s celebrate and observe National Fair Housing Month!  This is an opportunity for the City of Greenville and Pitt County to raise awareness and to renew their commitment to advocate for the principles of fair housing for all.  

This year, we commemorate the 56^th Anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act.   The landmark civil rights law signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, making discrimination in housing transactions unlawful.   

 Why is Fair Housing so important?  It’s not just a legal requirement, but a moral imperative.   The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability in the sale, rental, or financing of housing.  It’s about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live in a safe and affordable home in a neighborhood of their choice.  The act was a response to housing discrimination that had been a barrier for people of color and other marginalized groups in accessing safe and affordable housing.

 Despite the passing of the Fair Housing Act and subsequent efforts to strengthen it, housing discrimination still exists.   In some cases, it is overt, but more often, it is subtle.   Steering someone away from a certain neighborhood because of their race or denying housing to someone with a criminal record, even if the record is not related to their ability to be a good tenant, are examples of housing discrimination. These practices are illegal, but they continue.  Supporting fair housing initiatives and taking a more proactive approach to promoting fair housing, can safeguard efforts to ensure an equal opportunity for all.

 The Fair Housing Seminar will take place on Thursday, April 18^th at 9:30 A.M at the Greenville Hilton.   Check in is at 9:00 AM.   The following sessions are offered:

• Fair Housing Post COVID – Examples of topics to be discussed: an overview of fair housing, fair housing updates and changes.   Representative(s) from Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC, of Raleigh, NC is the presenter.
• Fair Housing Deep Dive – Examples of topics to be discussed: an overview of fair housing, evictions, discrimination, security deposits, service animals, reasonable modifications, reasonable accommodations and updates.  Representatives from the North Carolina Human Relations Commission staff, Raleigh, NC are the presenters.

 This seminar is FREE to all GAPMA (Greenville Area Property Managers Association) members and sponsors.   If you are not a member of GAPMA or a sponsor, the cost is $40.

If you would like to attend, registration is required.  Please visit http://coghrc.greenvillenc.gov/, to register or you may register via email:  [email protected] or via phone at 252-329-4494.  Registration deadline is Monday, April 15^th at 5:00 PM.  

 This seminar is being sponsored by:

• The City of Greenville
• Pitt County Government
• Greenville Area Property Managers Association
• Metronet
• Brownlee Whitlow & Praet
• North Carolina Human Relations Commission
• Online Rental Exchange
• HUD

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