50 Years of Fair Housing — April

As we come together as a community and a nation to celebrate the anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and recommit to that goal which inspired us in the aftermath of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination in 1968: to eliminate housing discrimination and create equal opportunity in every community, we celebrate the month of April.

Fundamentally, fair housing means every person can live free. This means our communities are open and welcoming, free from housing discrimination and hostility. But this also means each one of us has access to neighborhoods of opportunity, where our children can attend quality schools, our environment allows us to be healthy, and economic opportunities and self-sufficiency can grow.

The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency administers federal housing programs funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Housing Agency is committed to eliminating racial and ethnic segregation and other discriminatory practices in housing, and will use all state and federal programmatic and enforcement tools available to achieve this goal. The fundamental goal of the agency’s fair housing policy is to make housing choice a reality.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963. Photo by Rowland Scherman

It is unlawful for an owner, landlord, real estate company, broker, sales person, or any other person engaged in a real property transaction to treat persons unequally because of that person’s race, sex, disability, familial status, religion, color, age, ancestry/national origin, marital status, HIV status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

As part of national Fair Housing month in April, the County Housing Agency announces a free training opportunity for landlords and tenants to learn about the most current federal and state Fair Housing laws.

The training will take place on Wednesday, April 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Civic Center, Pi‘ikoi Building Conference Room A/B, 4444 Rice St. in Lihu‘e.

April 11 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act. The theme for this year’s Fair Housing Month is “The Fair Housing Act of 1968: 50 Years of Opening Doors.” Experts from the U..S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission and Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i will present the most current information, and answer questions regarding the most current federal and state Fair Housing laws.

Seating is limited. Registration forms for this free training are available at the Kaua‘i County Housing Agency at 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330 in Lihu‘e between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Registration forms are due April 4.

The Kaua‘i Board of Realtors and all its members have a living commitment to fair housing, one that reflects the needs of Kaua‘i today. Call the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors at 808-245-4049 or email kbr@kauaiboard.com for more information.