FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 31, 2015
CONTACTS:
Frank Penela (850) 488-7082
“It’s Your Right Use It”
Tallahassee–As the nation celebrates National Fair Housing Month, the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) is holding events across Florida commemorating the 46th anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Fair Housing Act. This year, the Fair Housing Month theme is “It’s Your Right Use It.” This theme supports Floridians who are entitled by law to rent a place to live or to buy a home without discrimination.
The landmark federal legislation, signed into law on April 11, 1968, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, and, as amended, disability or family status. Every April, people across the country are encouraged to learn more about their rights and responsibilities under the Act as a part of National Fair Housing Month.
More than 10,000 people filed housing discrimination complaints last year in the U.S., most from persons with disabilities, according to an annual report released this month by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD also found that race-based housing discrimination was the second most frequent reason individuals filed complaints.
The FCHR Housing Unit has many activities planned during the month of April to celebrate Fair Housing Month 2015 in Florida. Here are a few:
- April 21-FCHR in partnership with the City of Tallahassee, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Leon County Government and Legal Services of North Florida, is hosting a comprehensive workshop examining all aspects of housing, including fair housing rights and what recourse citizens have if their rights are violated. The workshop will take place from 12 – 2 p.m. at the LeRoy Collins Public Library, located at 200 W. Park Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida.
- April 23- FCHR will take part in a seminar in Sarasota in partnership with the Sarasota Office of Housing & Community Development. FCHR will discuss– who we are, and what we look for in order to accept a complaint. Also, FCHR legal counsel will discuss Investigations/legal review/Cause/No Cause
The Florida Commission on Human Relations, established in 1969, is the state agency charged with administering the Florida Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act. Fair treatment, equal access and mutual respect are the benchmarks of the Commission’s commitment. Through education and partnerships, the Commission works to prevent discrimination and costly litigation through teaching best business practices and fostering understanding amongst Floridians.
For more information on events, please visit http://fchr.state.fl.us or on Facebook and Twitter.
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