236-2022

WHEREAS, the Fair Housing Act, enacted on April 11, 1968 was adopted to prohibit discriminatory housing practices, undo racial segregation patterns, and provide equal access to housing opportunity for all; and

WHEREAS, in Portland, the combined Federal, State, and local civil rights laws protect people from housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, source of income, military status, gender identity, ethnicity, or history of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault; and

WHEREAS, decades of intentional and unintentional government action,

combined with enduring systemic inequities, have created a need for displacement prevention and mitigation policies; and

WHEREAS, Portland prioritized housing stabilization during the persistent COVID-19 crisis with rent assistance to thousands of households, continued development of affordable housing and new programs aimed to challenge unfair displacement of our community members; and

WHEREAS, despite existing fair housing protections and strategies, Portland residents and historically disenfranchised communities continue to face barriers in accessing safe, stable and suitable housing; and
 

WHEREAS, Fair Housing month is an opportunity to reflect on our progress and to acknowledge the remaining challenges we have yet to overcome; and

WHEREAS, we celebrate the passage of the Fair Housing Act, let us recommit ourselves to eliminating discrimination in housing by dismantling the barriers to housing choice; acknowledging the intersection of health, economic and housing inequities; dedicating resources to meaningfully address disparities; adopting policies that support our community’s most vulnerable residents; measuring the impacts of our efforts; and creating more housing that welcomes and celebrates people of all abilities, races, cultures, and incomes;

Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do herby proclaim April 2022 to be

Fair Housing Month

in Portland and encourage all residents to observe this month by joining the citywide effort to realize equal housing opportunity for all.