TITLE
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, adopting a fair housing policy, making known 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
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 libraries, post offices, Chambers of Commerce, or print the information in the newspaper at least once annually and attend or hold a public meeting/forum on fair housing. Fait Housing Posters are displayed at City Hall, the Heritage District was scheduled to meet on April 13, 2017 and the City is completing a Housing Needs Assessment and held a focus group addressing vulnerable populations on April 3, 2017.
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.
As part of fair housing month activities this resolution will be posted in three locations within the City, brochures about fair housing will be distributed and the fair housing poster will be displayed.
The City has passed fair housing resolutions each year since 2005 to be in compliance with CDBG requirements and enable CDBG projects to be completed. Below is a list of the Fair Housing resolutions over the last few years.
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 was for paving Arizona/Plainview Avenue and installing fire hydrants on Justin Drive and SR 347.
April 5 2011 coincided with CDBG project #154-10 for the Domestic Violence Shelter.
April 3 2012 coincided with CDBG project #151-12 for the Southside Distribution Water System Improvements/Fire Hydrants.
April 2, 2013 and April 15, 2014 coincided with CDBG project #101-15 for Paving Lexington and Roosevelt Road
April 7, 2015 and April 19, 2016 coincided with the Heritage District CDBG project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, passing a resolution and adopting a fair housing policy, making known this commitment to the principle of Fair Housing Policy, and describing actions it shall undertake to affirmatively further fair housing.