TITLE
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, adopting a fair housing policy, making know this commitment to the principle of Fair Housing Policy, and describing actions it shall undertake to affirmatively further fair housing. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
On May 3, 2005, the City Council passed its first resolution to affirm fair housing, and again on April 18, 2006, April 17, 2007, and April 1, 2008. These resolutions were in conjunction with the completed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project #163-06 which is for Dallas Smith Lane, Fred Cole Lane, and Ed Green Lane to receive paving, curb, curb cuts, gutter and sidewalks.
Subsequently, the following Council resolutions were passed.
• April 9, 2009 coincided with the CDBG project #121-08 to pave Justin Drive.
• April 6, 2010 coincided with the CDBG Project #154-10 to construct a Domestic Violence Shelter and State Special Project #159-09 for paving Arizona/Plainview Avenue and fire hydrants on Justin Drive and SR 347.
• April 5 2011 coincided with CDBG project #154-10 for the Domestic Violence Shelter. Included in this resolution was Project #151-12 for the Southside Distribution Water System Improvements/Fire Hydrants which begins in 2012.
The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 requires that all applicants for CDBG funds certify that they shall affirmatively further fair housing. The resolution must be completed each year in April. April is Fair Housing month and each community is required to complete several activities that further fair housing in their community. Each community is also required to adopt a resolution or proclamation, display a fair housing poster in at least one public place, and perform one additional activity. Samples of additional activities are to: distribute brochures at city hall, public library, post office, Chamber of Commerce or print the information in the newspaper at least once annually and attend or hold a public meeting/forum on fair housing. Fair housing posters are currently displayed in City Hall and during the month of April the Grants Manager will attend a Fair Housing Training in Casa Grande.
Since 1982, the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), a state agency in Arizona, has been responsible to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for administering the Small Cities CDBG Program in Arizona with the exception of Maricopa and Pima counties and the cities of Yuma and Flagstaff. The State of Arizona has a partnership with the regional Councils of Government (COG) to provide technical and administrative assistance. ADOH has delegated to each COG the responsibility of recommending an annual method of distribution within its region, thereby enabling local units of government to guide the distribution of resources. CDBG funds are utilized to address housing and community development needs.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments mission is to create equal housing opportunities for all persons living in America by administering laws that prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. By passing this resolution the Mayor and City Council reaffirm their mission.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends passing a resolution to affirmatively further fair housing as required by the Community Development Block Grant.