pages: SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard/2014-02-19.pdf, 4
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard | 2014-02-19 | 4 | After Ms. Krause's presentation, President Biggs ask that, "since the City of Alameda provides the services at Mastick Senior Center, would the type of services suggested in the AFS application be appropriate for the City to take on?" Ms. Krause responded that the focus of Mastick has been, and continues to be, on recreation and other related activities, as opposed to other social services. Marjorie Rocha, Executive Director and Angie Watson-Hajjem, Fair Housing Specialist ECHO Housing Good evening, My name is Marjorie Rocha. I am the Executive Director of ECHO Housing. To my right is Angie Watson- Hajjem, Fair Housing Specialist. I want to thank you for your consideration of ECHO's funding request to provide housing counseling services to City of Alameda low income renters. ECHO Housing has been providing fair housing counseling, investigation, and enforcement for Bay Area renters for the past 48 years. ECHO was founded in 1964 and incorporated in 1965 as a fair housing agency. We are a Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization and are designated as a HUD-approved comprehensive housing counseling agency. But, our most important program is fair housing counseling which informs renters of their rights with regard to fair housing laws, and investigation which uncovers illegal housing discrimination against protected classes. The protected classes are race, color, national origin, disability, age, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, source of income, and arbitrary discrimination. As a Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organization we conduct investigations and testing of fair housing complaints. If a case warrants in-depth investigation, ECHO uses trained testers. The testing process is a double blind study in which testers are given a profile, similar in every respect except for protected class. The tester is fulfilling the role of a potential renter, and will provide details of their observations to the Fair Housing Specialist for analysis. If discrimination is found, we may make referrals to civil rights attorneys, the Dept of Fair Employment and Housing, or the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. As an enforcement agency, we work side-by-side with these entities for the enforcement of meritorious claims. In addition, to our work with renters, we provide educational services to members of the housing industry. Every year we conduct a systemic fair housing audit for the City of Alameda to uncover hidden forms of housing discrimination. As a result of our annual audit, we offer training to non-compliant landlords regarding fair housing laws and good business practices. (Angie explained the difference between an inquiry, complaint, and audit.). Our fair housing program helps to fulfill the City's HUD mandate to affirmatively further fair housing. Additionally, we provide tenant/landlord counseling and conciliation services, providing renters and housing providers counseling and education on rental rights and responsibilities, such as evictions, deposits, and B\PACKETS\2014Febuary2014\MINUTES Febuary 2014.doc | SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard/2014-02-19.pdf |