April is Fair Housing Month
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
The city’s annual observance of Fair Housing Month began Friday, April 1, when Council Member Jeff MacIntosh read a proclamation by Mayor Allen Joines during the Fair Housing Month Kick-Off Luncheon at the Winston-Salem Regional Association of Realtors Office.
Fair Housing Month promotes the Federal Fair Housing Act and its laws against housing discrimination. 2016 marks the 48th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.
Winston-Salem has a fair housing ordinance that mirrors the Fair Housing Act. The Winston-Salem Human Relations Commission and Human Relations Department are responsible for enforcing fair housing laws locally to ensure fair and equal housing access and treatment for all people regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, family status, or religion.
The city’s annual Fair and Affordable Housing Summit for housing professionals will be held Thursday, April 21, at 11:30 a.m. at the Benton Convention Center, 301 W. Fifth St. During the summit, the New Horizons Fair Housing Committee will present its annual Breaking Barriers Fair Housing Award to Carol Davis, the executive director of the Simon G. Atkins Community Development Corporation.
Also, First Baptist Church (Highland Ave.) will host Project Homeless Connect, sponsored by the United Way of Forsyth County and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. It will be on April 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To register or to volunteer go to www.forsythunited-way.org and follow the link. or more information call CityLink 311.
