Proclaim April 2024 to be Fair Housing Month
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, despite existing fair housing protections and strategies, Portland residents continue to face unequal access to safe, quality housing opportunities and unequal outcomes due to treatment and systemic circumstance; and
Whereas, this year Portland not only continues to invest in affordable housing for impacted communities, and to push for fair housing enforcement, education, and testing, but commits to strategies that prevent unfair displacement; and
Whereas, Portland acknowledges the past harm and displacement our policies have caused, and affirmatively furthers fair housing by taking direct action in programs such as the North and Northeast Preference Policy; and
Whereas, Fair Housing month is an opportunity to reflect on our progress and to acknowledge the many challenges we have yet to overcome; and
Whereas, we celebrate the passage of the Fair Housing Act by committing ourselves to eliminating discrimination in housing; we acknowledge the intersection of health, economic and housing inequities; we understand and commit to adopting policies that support our community’s most vulnerable residents; and ensure housing in community welcomes and celebrates people of all abilities, races, and cultures.
Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do herby proclaim April 2024, 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.