GOVERNOR BALDACCI PROCLAIMS APRIL AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH
Fair Housing - It's Not an Option, It's the Law

BANGOR, MAINE - In recognition of the 39th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, Governor John Baldacci issued a proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month in the State of Maine.

Under the Fair Housing Act, it is against the law to: Refuse to rent or sell housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability; say that housing is unavailable when in fact it is; show apartments
or homes only in certain neighborhoods; advertise housing to preferred groups only (an ad cannot say "no children"
or "no single mothers" etc.); impose different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan; refuse to make reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability; or harass, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising or assisting someone else with his/her fair housing rights.

Field Office Director William Burney accepted the proclamation on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development, the federal agency responsible for enforcing the fair housing laws.

The Maine Human Rights Act has been determined to be substantially equivalent to the Federal Fair Housing Act,
and is the law of the State of Maine to safeguard all individuals from housing discrimination.

"Studies and claims indicate that many people still face housing discrimination from mortgage lenders, real estate agents and apartment rental agents," said Burney. "These practices are unacceptable and we thank Governor
Baldacci for his support as we continue to educate the public that no one should be denied the opportunity to
choose where to live."

Last year in New England, over 500 fair housing cases were "closed" through HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity or its Fair Housing Agency Program partners. The Maine Human Rights Commission reached closure on over 60 of those cases.

People who feel they have faced housing discrimination should call (800) 669-9777 to file a complaint.

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