\n\u2022\tOne successful model is non-profit corporations teaming with municipalities and neighborhoods to build and manage affordable housing that positively impacts neighborhoods. One such example is CASA<\/strong><\/a> in North Carolina. Some of their recent projects have targeted veterans and people with disabilities.
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<\/a>This beautiful CASA property is reserved with individuals and families with disabilities<\/p><\/div> The closing speaker for the conference was Bryan Greene, the US General Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. He highlighted some of the excellent work being coordinated out of the US Federal Government. Some of his key points included: In Part 2 coming next week I will expand into the connections between housing issues and my core area of diversity expertise \u2013 the LGBT \u2013 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender \u2013 community, including Bryan Greene\u2019s comments about this area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Throughout this summer, I seemed to be involved, read information or met people who are connected with housing issues. And then I realized that there is a very strong connection between diversity work and housing. Where a person or family … Continue reading
\n\u2022\tAnother best practices is when city or town governments work creatively across departments (like community affairs and transportation) to come up with solutions for city residents.
\n\u2022\tThere are certain populations that have an extra hard time find housing. These include ex-prisoners trying to productively re-enter society to start a new life, and immigrants who could face language barriers in filling out the paperwork and understanding lease agreements.
\n\u2022\tBlatant discrimination against particular groups is still a reality in the United States. This poignant and shocking video (link)<\/strong><\/a> about discrimination against Muslims by an apartment complex in Texas was shown to conference attendees.
\n\u2022\tThere are a number of passionate and very knowledgeable groups and leaders who are working tirelessly to address the housing issue. One who was honored at the event was national housing leader and consultant Stella Adams.<\/strong><\/a> See also the NC Justice Center\u2019s Consumer Protection and Housing Project.<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tThere are still many issues around fair housing that HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) needs to continue to address into the future. This work is nowhere near over.
\n\u2022\tThe area of disabilities accounts for the largest number of complaints filed with HUD (45% of the total.) The most common issues are lack of accommodation (e.g. parking, assistance animals, etc.) and allowing modifications to units.
\n\u2022\tOther hot areas of housing discrimination include familial (especially against single parents with children) and religious (especially against Muslims)
\n\u2022\tSegregated communities are harmful for our country whereas fully integrated diverse communities will build a stronger nation.<\/p>\n