Oakland County is encouraging residents to attend one of two remaining affordable housing forums where they can share their experiences and learn about their rights under the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
The forums are: Nov. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile Road in Madison Heights; and Nov. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pontiac Library, 60 E. Pike St., in Pontiac. The forums are sponsored by the Community & Home Improvement Division. The county plans to use the information to identify and address barriers that may exist to fair housing in the Oakland County.
“It is vital to hear from as many Oakland County residents as possible to help us identify barriers to fair housing and strategies to address them effectively,” County Executive David Coulter said. “Ensuring affordable housing is key to the quality of life and economic opportunity for residents in all parts of the county.”
There is a voluntary survey for those who cannot attend the forums. Interested residents can take the survey at www.Oakgov.com/FairHousingSurvey. It requires about 10 minutes to complete. Printed copies of the survey are available at various local non-profit agencies, community centers and government offices.
Completed surveys should be placed in return boxes where the survey was obtained or mailed to: County of Oakland, 1200. N. Telegraph Road Ste 1, Pontiac, 48341-9901. No postage is required. They can also be hand delivered to the Community & Home Improvement Division office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 250 Elizabeth Lake Road, Suite 1900, in Pontiac. The deadline to submit completed surveys is Nov. 22.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale or renting of housing, home financing, or making unavailable or denying a dwelling to anyone because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status. Fair housing and barriers to fair housing are monitored by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
Oakland County conducts an “Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice” every five years as a recipient of federal Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership funding. As impediments to fair housing choice are found, the county will take action to overcome the effects of any identified barrier.
The survey, which is completed anonymously, asks respondents where they live, work, questions about their specific household, and a series of questions about their neighborhood, new housing and familiarity with fair housing laws.
There are also three professional fair housing focus group meetings which engage housing and human service professionals who assist homeless, disabled and low-income households:
• Nov. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Oakland Community Health Network, Superior Room, 5505 Corporate Drive #2614, Troy
• Nov. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the L. Brooks Patterson Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford
• Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Oakland County Service Center, Medical Examiner Building 28 East, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac
A public presentation of the draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice is set for Jan. 22, 2020 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the L. Brooks Patterson Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. The presentation is hosted by The Citizens Advisory Council for Community
& Home Improvement.
Those with specific questions about the survey should call 888-350-0900 ext. 80493 or email chi@oakgov.com.
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