Free Disability Educational Training

 Disability Training on September 13th

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Join us at our virtual forum that covers fair housing law, discrimination issues, senior housing, disability accessibility/accommodations, and new construction. To register, click on the picture above or click HERE. Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

Stay Connected with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

Environmental Justice & Health Disparities Symposium

Justice Forum is on September 11-16

CLICK HERE to register!

 Free Celebration Event for the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

HUD Celebration of 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 & Disability Civil Rights     On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is hosting a hybrid event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a landmark law providing civil rights to persons with disabilities in all federal programs and activities.    The Rehabilitation Act is a core component of FHEO’s mission to ensure affordable, accessible, and integrated housing for persons with disabilities nationwide, and the promise of housing choice for all. The commemoration will examine the history of the disability rights movement, successes, emerging issues, and the continued need for vigorous enforcement of fair housing and civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities and ensuring equal opportunity. The event will feature a discussion of disability rights in federally funded programs with Disability Rights Attorney, John Wodatch, Chief Program and Policy Officer, Regina Blye, & HUD Associate General Counsel, Jeanine Worden, discuss disability rights in federally funded programs, along with a powerful video underscoring the importance of housing choice for all. Learn more about the event here.   You can register to watch the event virtually by clicking the link or scanning the QR code below: http://bit.ly/3QO67sh.

You can follow Secretary Fudge on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also connect with HUD on social media or sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List.

Source: HUD Fair Housing News, August 23, 2023.

Report on Hate Bias in Maryland

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Join us at our LIVE forum that brings together law enforcement and the community to improve hate bias reporting. To register, click on the picture above or click HERE. Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

 Housing Discrimination on Basis of Criminal History Outlawed

August 15, 2023

2-Year Evaluation Released of Benefits of Cook County, Illinois, Ban of Housing Discrimination Based on Criminal History In 2019, Cook County enacted the Just Housing Amendment (JHA) to ensure equitable housing access for individuals with criminal records. The JHA thus helps these individuals obtain safe, stable, and affordable housing. The ordinance prohibits people who are selling or leasing housing units from soliciting criminal background information until an applicant has been determined to be otherwise qualified to occupy a residence. The Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR), which is responsible for protecting county residents and workers from discrimination and wage theft, subsequently amended its rules and regulations to include interpretive rules for JHA. Managed by the Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR), JHA employs a dual-phase screening process: applicants are initially evaluated based on non-criminal criteria, followed by a comprehensive criminal background check considering offense details and rehabilitation efforts. The CCCHR's commitment to fostering fairness is demonstrated by their proactive policy approach and continued assessments of the JHA's effectiveness. Learn more about how CCCHR enforces the JHA here. As part of its duties, CCCHR has prepared two annual evaluations of JHA and the commission’s interpretive rules. Enforcement data from the most recent evaluation in 2022 indicate that CCCHR has received a total of 38 complaints related to JHA violations. Of these complaints, 26 concerned improper denials based on criminal conviction history, and 12 concerned discriminatory advertisements that included illegal wording such as “no felons” and “no convicted drug dealers.” Twenty-seven of the complaints have been closed. Of the closed cases, 18 resulted in monetary awards totaling approximately $31,000 as well as training for housing providers, 2 cases resulted in the complainant being rehoused, and 7 complaints were withdrawn. The 2022 report also describes CCCHR’s outreach, training, and intragovernmental coordination meetings. One significant effort during the previous year was CCCHR’s incorporation of the two-step process into software that small landlords commonly use for applicant screening. With the updated software, CCCHR estimates that more than 7,000 housing applications per month will undergo JHA-compliant screening. Visit HUD User’s RBC In Depth page to learn more about Cook County's Just Housing Amendment, as well as other plans and initiatives that state and local governments have enacted to reduce impediments to affordable housing. ***** Sources: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), HUD User. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/rbc/indepth.html. https://www.cookcountyil.gov/content/just-housing-amendment-human-rights-ordinance.