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WHEREAS, April 11, 2024 marks the 56th anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which, as amended, pronounces a national policy mandating fair housing opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status; and
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WHEREAS, on December 16, 1958 Mayor David Lawrence signed the Fair Housing Practices ordinance into effect, which, as amended, additionally prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, place of birth, sexual orientation, status as a survivor of domestic violence, citizenship or immigration status, preferred language, or hairstyle; and
WHEREAS, illegal barriers to equal opportunity in housing, whether subtle or blatant, diminish the rights of all and violate our community’s shared and deeply held values of equality and dignity for all; and
WHEREAS, the City through its Mayor, Council, Commissions, Departments and Authorities still works toward achieving the recommendations of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Task Force and ending housing inequity for its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the international community in 2022 and 2023 issued recommendations to public officials in the U.S. calling for improved efforts to address the systemic discrimination that perpetuates poverty and homelessness and disproportionately harms racialized and other vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, the City through its Mayor and Council reaffirm the commitment to ensuring housing as a human right through its policy implementation and enforcement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh encourages all agencies, institutions, and individuals, public and private, in the City of Pittsburgh to abide by the letter and spirit of the Fair Housing Law in the pursuit of expanding opportunities and improving the quality of life for all; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commits to make every effort to support the citizens of Pittsburgh and the Departments, Boards, Offices, and Authorities of the City of Pittsburgh in their fight to end discrimination in housing and Affirmatively Further Fair Housing; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby proclaim April 2024, as “Fair Housing Month,” in the City of Pittsburgh.