To mark the start of National Fair Housing Month, the city of San Diego Friday released a public service video as a way to educate residents on their housing rights.
The video, featuring Mayor Todd Gloria, will air locally on Cox Media channels throughout April, according to a news release.
The video also offers information about what San Diegans can do if they believe they’ve experienced housing discrimination. “Every San Diegan should have a place that is safe, secure and welcoming,” Gloria said.
“It’s important that landlords are transparent and equitable in their housing practices and don’t discriminate against possible renters.”
National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, a federal law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion or gender. California state law offers additional protections for age, ancestry marital status, occupation, sexual orientation or source of income.
Working with the city government, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free outreach and legal services to those who believe they have experienced housing discrimination or harassment. Another resource is the Fair Housing Hotline, at 844-449-3500.
The city’s Fair Housing Program funding partially comes from a community development block grant, as provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNGGWSimbPk. More information on fair housing is at www.sandiego.gov/cdbg/fairhousing.
— City News Service, Inc.