Exhibit V-A: Ways to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing

Examples of AFFH Actions

The focus of the actions listed below, and any others that a community may design and undertake, is public education.

• Adopt a fair housing resolution or proclamation.
  • This is normally done during April, which is national Fair Housing Month. When adopted at an open meeting, it publicizes the community’s commitment to fair housing.
  • Because a resolution is not legally binding, each community must reaffirm its position on this issue by adopting a new resolution or proclamation each year.
• Display a Fair Housing poster in a public area of the community’s administration building/office
  • Distribute the fair housing brochure.
  • Distribution could include making it available in the town hall, public library, post office, Chamber of Commerce and real estate offices; mailing copies annually along with utility bills; annually printing a copy in the local paper or advertising its existence in the newspaper.
• Encourage the media to promote fair housing awareness with public service announcements (PSAs) and news releases.
  • Many local newspapers and radio stations are anxious for news to meet PSA requirements.
• Sponsor a fair housing poster, essay or poetry contest in the local schools.
  • This is an excellent way to focus attention on the importance of fair housing. Prizes could be awarded at a school assembly, general community function, or at the council/board meeting at which the Fair Housing Proclamation/Resolution is adopted. The winning entries could become the community’s fair housing poster(s), and excerpts might be used in brochures, press releases, Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and other media.
• Publicize the State’s procedures regarding discrimination complaints and assist persons to file such.
  • The grantee can inform the public about the role of the Attorney General’s office in fair housing complaints. This information can be conveyed through a brochure, media focus on community involvement with fair housing, or through posters and other information displayed in prominent places.
• Review local zoning laws and building codes and procedures to determine if such contribute to or detract from fair housing choices.
• Conduct a community wide public opinion survey to assess public attitude about fair housing and housing discrimination. Determine if there is an understanding of the terms, a perception that discrimination exists, and approval for local actions to remove any impediments. This would be an excellent project for a high school class.
• Conduct a survey to assess the community’s housing needs and possible discriminatory housing practices.
  • The results of the survey may be used to determine additional actions necessary to eliminate any discrimination practices.
• Hold annual or a series of public meetings or forums on fair housing to discuss any problems residents may have had in obtaining housing appropriate to their needs.
  • Speakers could include representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, the Real Estate Department, and various statewide non-profit organizations that provide technical assistance on fair housing issues.
• Encourage school and civic organizations to invite speakers to talk about fair housing.
  • Provide schools and organizations with a list of appropriate speakers to include those from: the Attorney General’s office, the Department of Real Estate, the Colorado Association of Realtors, or residents of the community who have experienced housing discrimination or have worked in other communities to AFFH.
• Conduct an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing study.