ACTION ALERT: PROPOSED LEGISLATION VIOLATES THE FAIR HOUSING ACT BY MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO HOUSE OR SHELTER UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
The Louisiana state legislature is considering several pieces of legislation that complicate things for undocumented immigrants. While all of the bills are troublesome, two stand out in the housing front. House bills 1357 and 1365 seek to make it illegal to house or shelter undocumented immigrants. If passed, the bill would facilitate illegal discrimination. Even well-intentioned landlords would be forced to engage in illegal racial profiling in order to comply with the law. It is GNOFHAC’s position that the bill is illegal. In fact, similar bills have been struck down in other states and cities. We ask that you contact your state legislator and ask them to vote against the bill.
5-20-08: To read the two bills click here, scroll down to "Bill Search," enter "HB 1357" or "HB 1365" and hit "view."
5-30-08: Read the Times Picayune editorial, entitled "Wasting Time", here.
6-04-08: Read the Times Picayune article, "Immigrant Bill Hits Senate Panel Snag", here.
Click the links for a list of legislators (House and Senate). Click here a sample letter/email.
ACTION ALERT: KENNER'S BAN ON MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING HAS DISCRIMINATORY EFFECT
In April, the City of Kenner passed a ban on the construction of multi-family housing. Census data demonstrates that Latinos, African-Americans, families with children and people with disabilities rely most heavily on muli-family rental housing. The reliance stems from the fact that multi-family housing is more likely to be affordable. Plus, for people with physical disabilities, multi-family housing is the only housing required by law to be accessible for people with disabilities. As a result Kenner’s ban on the construction of apartment housing is having a discriminatory effect. We ask you to join us in advocating that the Kenner City Council reverse its decision.
4-4-08: Read the Fair Housing Center's press release on the Kenner moratorium here.
4-11-08: Read the Times Picayune article stating our opinion here.
Click here for a link with Council contact information. Click here for sample letters/emails that you can send to the Kenner City Council.
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GNOFHAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TESTIFIES BEFORE US CONGRESS ABOUT GULF COAST RECOVERY AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
On Thursday, May 8, 2008, GNOFHAC Executive Director James Perry testified before the House Committee on Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development about the role of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast after the 2005 hurricanes and the extent to which local and state governments have failed to use this funding in a way that affirmatively furthers fair housing. Under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides CDBG funding to cities and counties in order to “carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.” Since the 2005 storms, HUD has provided over $16 billion in CDBG funds to affected areas which have funded a myriad of rebuilding programs, including the Road Home program.
5-6-08: Read the press release here.
5-8-08: Read James Perry's testimony here.
5-8-08: Listen audio from the testimony here.
5-8-08: Read Ariella Cohen's brief on the testimony in City Business here.
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GNOFHAC HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELOR TESTIFIES BEFORE STATE SENATE COMMITTEE
The LA Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs unanimously approved SB 740, the Road Home Bill of Rights, sponsored by Senator Derrick Shepherd today. GNOFHAC Hurricane Relief Specialist, Seth Weingart, testified in support of the bill, as did Melanie Ehrlich of CHAT.
5-8-08: Read Seth Weingart's testimony here.
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GNOFHAC SETTLES LAWSUIT AGAINST ST. BERNARD PARISH
On February 28, 2008, the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center announced the settlement of its lawsuit against St. Bernard Parish regarding a discriminatory local ordinance. St. Bernard Parish has agreed to pay a $32,500 settlement over a 2006 ordinance, since repealed, that restricted the rental of a home to blood relatives of the owner. GNOFHAC alleged that the ordinance was racially discriminatory, since white individuals own 93% of all owner-occupied housing in St. Bernard Parish, and make up approximately 88% of the Parish's population.
2-28-08: Read GNO Fair Housing's press release here.
2-29-08: Read the Times Picayune article on the settlement here.
2-29-08: Read Jarvis DeBerry's opinion from the Times Picayune here.
3-1-08: Read the Times Picayune editorial here.
