Each April we celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act with a series of public education and art events to raise awareness about housing discrimination in Vermont and the positive role that inclusive, affordable housing plays in thriving communities. As part of that effort, we launched FAIR HOUSING FRIDAYS, a series of informational, interactive video sessions on Fair Housing issues in the context of COVID-19.
- The first session was April 10: “State & Federal Housing Policy: What’s Happening and How it Affects You” with Erhard Mahnke of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition and Chris Donnelly of Champlain Housing Trust *See video and resources below*
- The second session is April 17: “Tenants’ Rights and Renting during COVID-19” with Erika Johnson of Vermont Legal Aid and Karin Ames of Vermont Tenants *SIGN UP*
- The third session is April 24: “Fair Housing during (and in the wake of) COVID-19” with Melissa Horwitz of the Vermont Human Rights Commission and Ted Wimpey, Fair Housing Expert/Advocate *SIGN UP*
FAIR HOUSING FRIDAYS
“State & Federal Housing Policy: What’s Happening and How it Affects You”
Due to a technical failure, we did not record the full webinar, so we tried to recreate our conversation on this topic. We did our best to cover all the questions that came up, but if we have missed anything, please feel free to reach out to us at fhp@cvoeo.org.
Chris Donnelly of Champlain Housing Trust could not make it to this follow-up session, but provided a thorough and succinct summary of his presentation here.
Click here for a list of links referenced in our discussion, including updates on the eviction/foreclosure moratorium bill, updates from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and resources for audience members with questions about renting during COVID-19. As always, we recommend renters who have questions about their tenancy and their rights call our Tenants Hotline 802-864 2047 or visit www.vttenants.org.
Please join us again this Friday, April 17, for “Tenants’ Rights and Renting during COVID-19” with Erika Johnson of Vermont Legal Aid and Karin Ames of Vermont Tenants. *SIGN UP*
FAIR HOUSING BASICS
Fair Housing is the right to equal opportunity in housing choice and the right to rent or buy a dwelling free from discrimination.
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, and as amended, disability and family status.
Vermont has additional protections based on age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, receipt of public assistance, being a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and denial of development permitting based on the income of prospective residents.
For more information about Fair Housing in Vermont, visit www.cvoeo.org/FHP.
To learn more about Thriving Communities: Building a Vibrant Inclusive Vermont, a statewide collaboration to raise awareness about the economic and social benefits of affordable, inclusive housing, visit www.thrivingcommunitiesvt.org
Fair Housing Month activities in Vermont are coordinated by the Fair Housing Project of CVOEO in collaboration with ONE Arts Center and other partners, and with the support of the Champions of Affordable Inclusive Housing and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Contact the Fair Housing Project of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity at fhp@cvoeo.org or (802) 660-3456