2006.03.20 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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continue to implement fair housing strategies and goals identified in the Action Guide. The Al found 15 major impediments to fair housing within three categories: public sector, private sector lenders, and private sector rental market. Washington County, in conjunction with the FHIC, will address the following action steps: Impediment #26: The highly segregated residential patterns that exist throughout the Twin Cities region continue to limit or restrict housing choices for protected class members. Action Step: Washington County, working within the FHIC, is currently evaluating the diversity in the housing market in Minneapolis Metro and will attempt to market the rules and regulations of Fair Housing and how it applies to all protected classes. Home ownership programs are currently being developed to market to this particular class of citizens. FHIC will continue to promote housing choices to all citizens of Minnesota through education and marketing. Impediment #25: Many tenants with disabilities and owners are unaware of fair housing laws providing for reasonable accommodations for disabled persons when seeking or renting an apartment. Action Step: Washington County, working within and along side the FHIC/Private Rental Committee, did publish a pamphlet titled "Your Rights & Reasonable Accommodations in Rental Housing", which addresses many different situations that could occur in the rental market. The Q & A covers a wide spectrum of topics and directs both tenants and landlords to the appropriate way in addressing reasonable accommodations, in a legal and fair way. The PJ will also create a Predatory Lending display that will travel throughout Washington County during the month of November. In addition, the county is in the process of developing ideas for a fair housing video that could be broadcast through local cable access. These activities will help address the following Housing Needs objectives in the Consolidated Plan: Goal 2: Increase Housing Variety Strategy: Increase Housing and Homeownership Opportunities for Persons of Color. Rationale: Households of color experience housing problems at a greater rate than other households in Washington County. Objective 6: Washington County will encourage its sub-recipients to affirmatively market their housing programs to persons of color. Strategy: Reasonably Accommodate Persons with Physical Disabilities Rationale: Units dedicated to persons with physical disabilities are lacking, as evidenced by the growing waiting list at Washington County's 10