MO 2002-041 to 2002-045 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW DRAFT Equal Access to Housing The 1989 Element included the following goal relating to equal opportunity: Goal 1: Ensure that all persons, within their abilities and means and without discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, age, marital or family status, physical handicap, or national origin, have a freedom of choice as to where they live. Two policies in the 1989 Element indicated that the City would support programs to eliminate housing discrimination and would make non-discrimination a condition of approval for City programs and projects. There were no objectives or actions identified. Since adoption of the 1989 Element, the City has continued to work to eliminate discrimination and support programs that achieve that goal. The City contracts with Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO) Housing, a nonprofit corporation, for fair housing assistance and the investigation of discrimination complaints based on race, family status, sexual orientation, and other factors. ECHO also provides counseling and mediation services to tenants and landlords on fair housing issues. Information and outreach is provided to owners, renters, and prospective homebuyers. Approximately 450 San Leandro residents are served by ECHO each year, although a majority of the cases are related to landlord - tenant counseling and rental assistance rather than housing discrimination. In 1999-2000, 16 fair housing complaints were investigated. The City of San Leandro contributes approximately $50,000 from its annual CDBG allocation toward its contract with ECHO. This arrangement has worked well and is expected to continue in the future. The City's Housing Division supplements ECHO's services by providing referrals to local residents and responding to basic inquiries about tenant's rights, fair housing, and rent issues. This goal remains relevant and applicable and has been carried forward to the updated Housing Element. Additional policies and updated programs have been added. Citizen Participation The 1989 Housing Element included the following goal related to citizen participation in housing issues: Goal 2: Provide for active, timely, citizen participation in all stages of housing -related plans and programs. This goal was followed by five policies directing the City to coordinate housing plans with neighborhood organizations, individuals, developers, businesses interests, and social service agencies. There were no numerical objectives or actions identified. HOUSING ELEMENT 2-2 SAN LEANDRO GENERAL PLAN 'v� (.1