The Bartlesville City Council on Monday approved a resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month. The step is required for the City to maintain its status as a Community Block Grant recipient, which the City has received every year since 1992.
“As part of that effort, we have adopted a fair housing ordinance that is enforced on a complaint basis by the Community Development Department,” said Community Development Director Lisa Beeman.
Beeman said the City ensures that building construction meets the seven basic design and construction requirements for accessibility where applicable.
The City is also sharing information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on our social media outlets to educate and inform the public on the importance of fair housing in community development and share information through posters and flyers during the month of April.
Fair Housing Month began nationally in 1968, when then-President Lyndon B. Johnson signed The Civil Rights Act of 1968 and fair housing became the law.
According to the Housing and Urban Development website, the Act originally prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on color, race, national origin and religion. Later, the Act was amended to prohibit discrimination based on sex, disability and familial status.
If you have questions about your rights, as a property owner or aspiring tenant, contact HUD at 1.800.669.9777.