On April 5, 2006, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Kim Kendrick, was presented a Fair Housing Proclamation by Governor Sonny Perdue at the State Capitol. The program was the first of three major events in which Ms. Kendrick participated to celebrate the 38th Anniversary of the Act. HUD Region IV officials, Atlanta Regional Director Bob Young, Atlanta Regional Deputy Director Pat Hoban-Moore, FHEO Region IV Director, James N. Sutton and, Executive Director of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, Gordon Joyner, joined in the day long activities. After a visit at the grave sites of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Ms. Kendrick spoke at the Hungry Club Forum and the Atlanta City Council Chambers. Ms. Kendrick took time from a packed schedule to meet the HUD staff, walk the King Historic District, and tour Spelman College's Campus. The school's president, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, met privately with Ms. Kendrick prior to the tour.

HUD Assistant Sec. Kendrick and HUD Atlanta FHEO Regional Director James Sutton at the MLK Jr. Grave Site

"The types of discrimination commonly reported today, differ from the stark bias faced by those in the Civil Rights Movement 40 years ago," said Kendrick. "Discrimination today is often more subtle requiring that we develop new strategies to meet this challenge, while simultaneously educating every American that Fair Housing is not an option, it is the law."

Established by Congress in 1968, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale or financing of any dwelling based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. In 1988, the law was expanded to prohibit discrimination based on disability and familial status. In fiscal year 2005, HUD and state and local agencies funded by HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) saw an eight percent rise in the number of complaints alleging housing discrimination against persons with disabilities, making disability discrimination the most common complaint.

Crowd at Fair Housing Month Proclamation Event at GA State Capitol

Complaints alleging disability discrimination make up 40 percent of the cases filed with HUD and its state and local partners while discrimination complaints based on race now comprise 38 percent of their workload. Nearly 22 percent of cases filed with HUD and FHAP agencies, more than half of the disability complaints, alleged that a housing provider refused to make a reasonable accommodation to their rules or procedures in order to assist a person with a disability.

HUD recently launched a national ad campaign designed to educate the public about their fair housing rights. The campaign directs people to call [HUD - (800) 669-9777, TDD (800) 927-9275] if they believe they are being discriminated against. The campaign also includes an award-winning public service announcement.

Atlanta HUD RD Bob Young, HUD Assistant Secretary Kendrick, GA Gov. Sonny Perdue, Gordon Joyner, ED GA Commission on Equal Opportunity Fair Housing Month Proclamation presentation/event at GA State Capitol

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, and people with disabilities. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.