LU 25-0001 Fair Housing Policy and Education

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act, also known as the federal Fair Housing Act (codified at 42 U.S.C. 3601-3619), was enacted by the United States Congress in April of 1968 and has been further clarified by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development in subsequent rules. As amended, the law, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18) and disability.

Generally speaking, the law helps to identify which issues can be legally addressed when community concerns arise, and which infringe upon the rights of others not yet living in the neighborhood or community. The intent is to achieve a balance between existing neighbors’ concerns and the right of all people to access a range of housing options and not be discriminated against.

On November 19, 2024, the City Council approved Resolution 24-36 to adopt the Lake Oswego Housing Production Strategy (HPS) as a component of the Comprehensive Plan to meet state requirements under Oregon House Bill 2003 (2019). The HPS identified Fair Housing Policy and Education as a strategy for near-term adoption, including both the adoption of legislative amendments to the Comprehensive Plan to explicitly make Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) a Housing Policy as well as education and other actions to increase access to fair housing information.

The Fair Housing and Education strategy is intended to benefit priority populations – including low-income households, people of color, people with disabilities, seniors, and other state or federal protected classes – by:

• Formalizing the City’s commitment to fair housing goals;
• Facilitating a better understanding of fair housing issues in the community; and
• Educating City staff, housing stakeholders, and community members about fair housing laws and residents’ rights.

Though the City is required to comply with federal fair housing laws regardless of whether an AFFH policy is formally adopted, the strategy is nonetheless anticipated to provide additional protections against housing discrimination and bolster the City’s focus on prioritizing housing equity and affordability in its housing programs and investments.