Making Housing Fair Takes Enforcement and Collaboration
Says HAC Magazine

Washington, D.C., August 13, 2009 – The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is a significant piece of legislation that presents unique challenges in rural communities, according to the new issue of Rural Voices, the Housing Assistance Council’s quarterly magazine.

The National Fair Housing Alliance contends that housing discrimination is still a major problem 41 years after President Johnson signed the Act into law. The articles in this Rural Voices issue describe the barriers to fair housing in rural areas across the nation, and explore successful strategies for promoting and enforcing fair housing laws.

Articles from HUD Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, John Trasviña, and USDA Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights, Dr. Joe Leonard describe current fair housing initiatives for their respective departments. Pieces written by staff from a variety of nonprofits highlight campaigns to protect the rights of families in Maine, collaborations that promote equal housing rights in Idaho, fights to preserve the housing rights for people with disabilities in Iowa, and advocacy for vulnerable populations in California.

“Fair housing is an issue that affects all communities, large and small,” noted Moises Loza, HAC’s executive director. “Fair housing enforcement can be a challenge for rural communities, whether it involves race or ethnicity, familial status, religion, national origin, sex, or disability. HAC hopes this issue of Rural Voices magazine helps housing providers and advocates share information about fair housing laws and initiatives.”

More information about current and past issues of Rural Voices, are available on HAC’s website, www.ruralhome.org. Notices of new issues are sent to those who subscribe at lists.ruralhome.org. Print subscriptions by mail are also available; one subscription per organization is free, and additional subscriptions are $16 per year. To request a print subscription, contact Lawrence Adams, HAC, 202-842-8600, lawrence@ruralhome.org.

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A national nonprofit corporation headquartered in Washington, D.C., and founded in 1971, the Housing Assistance Council publishes numerous reports, program manuals, and other materials on rural housing topics. HAC helps local organizations build and preserve affordable homes in rural America by providing below-market financing, technical assistance, research, training, and information services. HAC’s programs focus on local solutions, empowerment of the poor, reduced dependency, and self-help strategies. HAC is an equal opportunity lender. More information is available at www.ruralhome.org.