This third episode in our webinar series concludes the April FAIR HOUSING FRIDAYS series, which looked at fair housing issues in the context of COVID-19. Fair Housing Month honors 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. If you haven’t had a chance to do so already, check out all three episodes of FAIR HOUSING FRIDAYS:
- 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 here*
- The second session was recorded April 17: “Tenants’ Rights and Renting during COVID-19”with Erika Johnson of Vermont Legal Aid and Karin Ames of Vermont Tenants *See video and resources here*
- This is the third session, held on 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 *See video and resources below*
FAIR HOUSING FRIDAYS
“Fair Housing during (and in the wake of) COVID-19”
Our topic for this third installment of the series of webinars for Fair Housing Month was Fair Housing during (and in the wake of) COVID-19. We had two special guest presenters: Melissa Horwitz of the Vermont Human Rights Commission and Ted Wimpey, former Fair Housing director and avid fair and affordable housing advocate. Topics included the history of fair housing, what is happening now nationally in terms of housing discrimination, and how to prepare communities for future discrimination in light of the extra pressure COVID-19 puts on housing resources.
Click here for a list of links referenced in our discussions. 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. If you have additional questions not answered in this video, please shoot us an email at fhp@cvoeo.org and we will do our best to guide you to the resources you need.
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.