Forum partners welcome HUD training

Boise City Council member Lisa Sanchez welcomed a roomful of housing providers, city and state staff, and local nonprofits on April 26 to a fair housing workshop presented by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Attendance was estimated at well over 200, with in-person and individuals watching via webcast throughout Idaho. This is the last workshop during April, where many different groups recognized the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act.


Featured presenter: HUD’s Kristina Miller, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

HUD’s Deputy Northwest Regional Administrator Michael Look kicked off the day by thanking attendees for their time and interest before outlining the history and meaning of the Fair Housing Act, its roots in the U.S. Constitution, and acknowledging those who made it possible. He introduced HUD’s last remaining Idaho field office representative, Senior Management Analyst Brian Dale

HUD reps Kristina Miller, Brian Dale, and Michael Look

Mr. Look emphasized that the economic opportunities made possible through housing choice and mobility go beyond the typical civil rights focus of fair housing. Where we live determines our access to essential community services, social capital and basic amenities. He acknowledged the rights and challenges of housing providers, and his hope that through ongoing training and greater awareness, they could all take steps to avoid violations and associated costs.*

Kristina Miller with the Seattle Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity conducted the day’s training, starting with an overview of fair housing basics, protected classes, prohibited actions , disparate impact and the three-step analysis of policies or practices to determine compliance. She also outlined seven fair housing design and construction standards, and the importance of accommodating our aging population—which applies to everyone.

The main point of fair housing is ‘equal access’ for all.

She also touched on recent HUD guidance on criminal history; that is, if the property involved is covered under the Fair Housing Act, they must maintain and follow a clear criminal background policy that otherwise treats all protected classes the same consideration. A *three-step analysis determines whether a policy has discriminatory effect:

  1. Does the policy result in a discriminatory effect on members of a protected class?
  2. Does the policy achieve a specific, legitimate nondisriminatory interest to the provider?
  3. If yes to #2, is there a less discriminatory alternative to achieve the same effect?

Unjustifiable policies

  • A blanket ban on criminal activity or an arrest record; unless there is a conviction, anyone could be banned without legitimate cause, thus it would be unjustifiable.
  • A blanket ban on all convictions that fails to differentiate between a legitimate threat to life, safety or property or no threat may also be unjustifiable.

View or download the presentation as a .pdf — Fair-Housing-Act-for-4-26-18-presentations

Check back for links to the webcast version.

Everyone wants a bag like Brian’s vintage FHF tote! We’ll get some made and let you how to get yours.

April 2015 Fair Housing Conference and Training

The Idaho Fair Housing Forum, U.S. Attorney’s Office, HUD and Intermountain Fair Housing Council hosted the 2015 Idaho Fair Housing Conference April 14 and 152015, in Boise, Idaho. Thanks to Idaho AHMA and Phil Sievers for capturing the presentations on video.

Photos from the event are below (photo credit: Erik Kingston)

IMG_0450 IMG_0451 IMG_0462

To view each speaker, click on the corresponding link (speaker presentations are also available for download and printing, links below the video sections):

Day 1 of the conference was aimed primarily towards housing providers and property management professionals. Featured speakers included HUD Region X Administrator Bill Block, Idaho’s U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson and civil rights defense attorney David Penny. They and other presenters focused on the Fair Housing Act, Support Animals and Reasonable Accommodations, Housing Provider Compliance and Defense, and Limited English Proficiency, among other topics.

Day 2 of the conference featured information more useful to municipalities, counties, building and planning professionals, and elected officials.

Day 1 – Tuesday, April 14

Fair Housing Basics: Sarah Fisher, Idaho Human Rights Commission Senior Investigator. http://youtu.be/EaztZFAX0g8

Current Federal Cases: Wendy Olson, U.S. Attorney for Idaho. http://youtu.be/sMJBEdr_Wto

Keynote Speaker: Bill Block, HUD Regional Administrator for Region X. http://youtu.be/NhgZDGpDwBM

Language Assistance Compliance: Gary Hanes, Gary E. Hanes and Associates. http://youtu.be/C670GNmoJnY

Consumers with Criminal History and Fair Housing: Wendy Olson, U.S. Attorney for Idaho. http://youtu.be/ek-6eIIMjok

Fair Housing Compliance from a Housing Provider Attorney: Dave Penny, Attorney, Cosho Humphry, LLP. http://youtu.be/YOAEQZzGdG4

Service Animals and Reasonable Accommodation: Zoe Ann Olson, Executive Director, Intermountain Fair Housing Council. http://youtu.be/F5_zk8yAI-E

Day 2 – Wednesday, April 15

Where Municipal Activities and Fair Housing Intersect: Jerome Mapp; Erik Kingston; Jennifer Yost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUxB9Ppm3TA

Section 3 Compliance: Kristina Miller, HUD Office of FHEO. http://youtu.be/8_MuXV5z1ws

Language Assistance Compliance: Gary Hanes, Gary E. Hanes and Associates. http://youtu.be/ny4QfeZjqpo

Understand Your CC&Rs in Light of the Fair Housing Act: Sarah Anderson, Attorney, Vial Fotheringham, LLP. http://youtu.be/j0ZFd4Q6WN4

ADA and 504 Compliance in Housing and Communities: Amy Howe, Assistant U.S. Attorney for Idaho and Dana Gover, NW ADA Center-Idaho.  http://youtu.be/X5VOw7ndcDI

Tuesday Presentations for Download

LEP_AHMA_Apr 2015_Presentation version | Wendy Olson DOJ 2015

April 2015 RAR SA April FH Presentation | Housing and Criminal History Final

LANDLORD BEST PRACTICES | LEP_AHMA_Apr 2015_Presentation version

Sarah General FH Training March 2015

Wednesday Presentations for Download

*Boise Day 2 Agenda

2015 FH Training_Where Municipal Activities and Fair Housing Intersect

Needs-Assessment_Housing-Plan-9_12

Fair Housing conference w-ADA2015 | LEP_govt_Apr 2015_Presentation version

Section 3 Presentation 4_2015 | Fair Housing Training 2015-final

HOA and CCRs [Compatibility Mode]

ADA and 504 Compliance Resources for Housing and Communities

General resources (updated as links are provided.)

Let’s work together!

The friendly panel of experts…

(L to R) Defense attorney David Penny, Intermountain Fair Housing Council E.D. Zoe Ann Olson, and HUD/FHEO representative Kristina Miller off to a good start for the Advanced Fair Housing Training in Nampa.

 

Nice turnout for the March 22 Advanced Fair Housing Training hosted by the City of Nampa

As with every fair housing event where animals and reasonable accommodation are on the menu, there was much vigorous discussion. See the Terms: Glossary and Definitions pages for more information.

Advanced Fair Housing Training

Advanced Fair Housing Workshop

Mark your calendar and join us March 22, for the Advanced Fair Housing training on Reasonable Accommodations and Reasonable Modifications. It will be a day to learn and get answers to questions from a panel of experts.  Questions can be asked during the session but feel free to pre-submit questions so the panel has time to research.

Log on and register at: http://www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=id&record=12842&scheduleID=12587&calendarID=16

Panelist members: Kristina Miller, HUD FHEO Office; ZoeAnn Olson, Intermountain Fair Housing Council; and David Penny, Civil litigator representing residential landlords

Date & Time:  March 22, 2013 / 8:30 – 12:30 (Check-in starts at 8:00am)

Location:        Nampa Civic Center, 311 Third Street South