An Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice for Richland County South Carolina.

The public is invited to a public hearing to provide comments on the 2011 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI). The AI is a requirement of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The document will serve as an action plan and guide to assist in the elimination of impediments to fair housing choice and to support the provision of fair and equal access to housing for residents without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status. A ten (10) day Public Comment Period on this AI will begin Monday, September 12, 2011 and will conclude on Wednesday, September 23, 2011. All comments received will be added to the document.

Your opportunity to provide public comment on the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing is:

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 @ 6:30 PM
Richland County Administration Building
4th Floor Conference Room
2020 Hampton Street, Columbia SC 29204

Comments may be mailed, emailed or faxed to:
Richland County Government
Community Development Department, 2020 Hampton Street, Suite 3063
PO Box 192, Columbia, SC 29204
jacksonv@rcgov.us
(803) 576-2230 (w)
(803) 576-2052 (f)

Please contact Valeria Jackson at 803-576-2230
Richland County Community Development Department
For additional information or questions

April is National Fair Housing Month
Citizens are Invited to Take Part in an Online Survey

Richland County is conducting an online community survey using a web based program available to all residents of the County. The purpose of the survey is to identify key issues and concerns about fair housing and to understand what actions the County should take to affirmatively further fair housing and eliminate impediments.

To access the survey County Residents are urged to go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BRFWKJY

Professionals and Program Administrators should go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BWPS2RZ.

Annually Richland County receives approximately $2,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds are used to support a wide range of housing and community service needs as described in the FY2007-2012 Consolidated Plan. As the recipient of these funds the County must prepare an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and a Fair Housing Plan. This document is the County’s plan to provide services and conduct activities in a non-discriminatory manner and to affirmatively further fair housing in the County. This document meets the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements for the receipt and use of federal funds, in particular for the CDBG and HOME programs.

The survey may be completed from a home computer or by using a computer at a public library, a church, or a community center. The survey is direct, easy to understand, and will take five minutes to complete.

Obtaining the input of residents, especially those in the low- and moderate-income neighborhoods is a very important part of developing this Plan. As part of the Plan development process, the County will hold a neighborhood meeting, as well as conducting formal public hearings about the Plan.

For more information about the survey, you may go to the County Website www.richlandonline.com or contact Ms Jocelyn Jennings, Department of Community Development, by telephone at 803-576-2055 or by e-mail at jenningsj@rcgov.us.

Focus Group Schedule

April 4, 2011 - Planning Commission and Staff, 2:00 PM Council Chambers
April 5, 2011 - Lenders, Developers and Real Estate Professionals 10:00 AM, 4 th Floor
April 5, 2011 - Housing Advocates, 3:00 PM, 4 th Floor

Fair Housing Poster Exhibit Reception
In Partnership with Community Relations Council
April 5, 2011
4:00 PM, 3 rd Floor Foyer

Location:
Richland County Administration Building
(Corner of Hampton and Harden Streets)
2020 Hampton Street, Suite 3063
Columbia, SC 29204

Fair Housing is the Law

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).

Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Fair Housing Plan

Addendum to the Fair Housing Plan Solicitation

Fair Housing Facts - 20 facts for 20 days

Richland County Fair Housing Resolution

Fair Housing Agencies . . . Where to Receive Help

Ley de Equidad de Vivienda (Fair Housing Act)

El Título VIII de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1968 (Ley de Equidad de Vivienda), con sus modificaciones, prohibe la discriminación en la venta, alquiler y financiamiento de viviendas, y en otras transacciones relacionadas con la vivienda, basada en la raza, el color, la nacionalidad, la religión, el sexo, el tipo de familia (incluyendo niños menores de 18 años que viven con sus padres o con custodios legales, mujeres embarazadas y personas con custodia de niños menores de 18 años) y discapacidad.