Fair Housing Act applies to all rental homes

ocean-center

It’s not a well known fact but the federal Fair Housing Act doesn’t apply to just Section 1602 rental homes but to any rental home.

The act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality and sex.

The act and the responsibilities of rental homeowners will be among topics that will be explained at a Fair Housing Workshop this Wednesday and Thursday.

American Samoa is a recipient of Community Planning and Development (CPD) Program grants from HUD such as the Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Department of Commerce, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, administered by the development Bank of American Samoa, and the Emergency Solutions Grant Program, administered by the Depatment of Youth and Women Affairs.

Petti Matila of the Department of Commerce who’s organizing the workshop said, “As a recipient of these grant programs, it’s imperative that all key stakeholders within ASG as well as the general public are well aware of people’s fair housing rights.”

She pointed out that the Fair Housing Act doesn’t just apply to federally funded projects like 1602 apartments/rental homes, but privately owned ones as well.

Those urged to attend are rental home owners or landlords as well as tenants.

This also includes individuals with disabilities who reside in rental homes and any person interested to attend.

Matila says they want participants to gain an understanding of the rules and to ensure the general public and relevant government agencies are aware of people’s fair housing rights.

She said, “People need to know where they can file a complaint once they realize they’ve been rejected from occupying a decent and affordable home due to their race, color, religion, disability, etc.”

Mr. Jelani Madaraka, the Fair Housing Officer from the HUD Honolulu Field Office will conduct this workshop in partnership with ASG.

Its from 2 to 4pm this Wednesday and Thursday at the Tauese P Sunia Ocean Center.