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db:housing.pr 97- 47 Contact: David Weaver or Donna Bigler,
(301) 217-6530
DUNCAN ANNOUNCES NEW
FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM TO
FIGHT DISCRIMINATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 1997
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today announced a new $400,000 fair housing
initiative to fight housing discrimination in Montgomery County. The effort closely follows
the release of a report by the Fair Housing Council of Greater Washington, which found
Montgomery County to have the second worst housing discrimination rate in the Washington
Metropolitan area. Based on 26 tests performed at various rental properties in the County, 59
percent involved some form of discrimination.
"Although we have made progress over the years in fighting other forms of
discrimination, we clearly have much to do in the area of fair housing," said Duncan. "It is
absolutely unacceptable that housing discrimination still exists, and we are committed to
eradicating even the most subtle forms."
"I commend the County Executive for recommending this important initiative to
address the problems of housing discrimination in Montgomery County," said County Council
Vice President Isiah Leggett. "This is the second consecutive year the Executive has
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DUNCAN ANNOUNCES NEW FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM 2-2-2-2
attempted to respond to this problem. The County Council failed to fund an earlier request of
the County Executive to fund the Housing Coordinator position in the FY 1997 budget.
Hopefully, based on their findings, this time we will have full Council support.
"Housing discrimination is a difficult problem which has plagued our community for a
considerable period of time. Montgomery County did not get into this unfortunate
predicament overnight, nor will we totally resolve this issue overnight. This initiative is but
one proper step in the right direction. I believe that if we coupled the Executive's efforts with
a strong public awareness campaign regarding the negative impacts of housing discrimination
on our diverse community, we could go a long way in helping to remove one of the last
remaining vestiges of prejudice in our County," said Leggett.
Odessa Shannon, Executive Director of the County's Human Relations Commission,
will oversee the new program, and two new positions -- a program director and a half-time
clerical -- will be added to her agency to staff the new housing efforts.
"The challenge of addressing the issue of fair housing is daunting, but exciting," said
Shannon. "The Human Relations Commission is pleased to have been entrusted with this
opportunity, and we will do our best to see that the goals are met."
The new program will consist of on-going testing, an analysis of lending practices,
and public education, training and outreach. It will also provide vigorous enforcement of the
County's anti-discrimination and code enforcement laws to ensure that all potential renters and
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DUNCAN ANNOUNCES NEW FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM 3-3-3-3
buyers are treated in a consistent and fair manner, and the program will work to encourage
the maintenance and improvement of housing -- particularly affordable housing stock. New
legislation to address identified needs will also be promoted under the program.
This initiative was begun in last year's budget when the County Executive
recommended $60,000 for a Fair Housing Coordinator position. Although full funding of the
position was not approved, the Human Relations Commission has spent much of the past year
working on the comprehensive fair housing program unveiled today.
The testing component of the program will focus on both rental and sales markets to
identify residential real estate practices and to act on any discriminatory practices. Issues such
as accessibility, options, financing, special programs, source of income, familial status,
interest rates, real estate ads and code identification of applicants will be addressed.
A review of lending practices by financial institutions will assess the consistency in
which minority applicants are treated, and will also address such issues as marketing,
redlining in sales and insurance, appraisals, credit checks, and underwriting. Efforts to
educate the community about how to recognize subtle forms of housing discrimination with
explanations of available complaint processes, and a web site that provides fair housing
information will also be part of the new program.
"The Fair Housing Council study shows that government still has a role in fighting
housing discrimination," said Duncan. "Unfortunately, we've let our guard down in the last
few years, but we can't let this happen again."
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