Submitted By
Cara Pavlicek, Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
Motion Accepting the Village Manager's Implementation Schedule related to the Recommendations of the Fair Housing Task Force.
End
Overview
Overview
On January 12, 2015, the Village Board held a special meeting to discuss the final Report of the Fair Housing Task Force which contained recommendations related to fair housing, including: (1) the enforcement of existing laws and ordinances; (2) community education; and (3) oversight of housing-related agencies in Oak Park. As a part of that discussion, the Village Board directed the Village Manager to prepare an implementation schedule for consideration.
End
Staff Recommendation
Approve of the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The recommended Implementation Schedule provides that recommendations which have a fiscal impact beyond the FY15 Budget will be reviewed as part of the upcoming FY16 Annual Budget process. Therefore, several recommendations require subsequent action of the Village Board to adopt an annual budget inclusive of specific funding.
Background
In conjunction with several Village Departments, the Village Manager has developed the attached implementation schedule related to the recommendation of the Fair Housing Task Force through the remainder of 2015 and into FY16.
It is important to note that a number of activities, such as training, have already begun. Other recommendations will occur later this calendar year. Finally, several recommendations include evaluation of the Village's ability to fund new services and/or staff. These recommendations will be evaluated as part of the Village's FY16 budget process. Staff will begin working on the FY16 budget this summer (in July of 2015).
As a CDBG entitlement community, the Village of Oak Park is charged by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to undertake activities to affirmatively further fair housing. HUD requires each community to adopt an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and Fair Housing Action Plan. In January 2010, the Village updated its Analysis of Impediments and Fair Housing Action Plan. One of the action items included a recommendation to conduct fair housing testing. The Housing Programs Advisory Committee (HPAC) was charged with overseeing the implementation of the Fair Housing Action Plan and it remains on HPAC's work plan in cooperation with the Community Relations Commission (CRC) and the Disability Access Commission (DAC).
In January 2013, the Village hired HOPE Fair Housing as a fair housing testing coordinator. HOPE Fair Housing was established in 1968 and is nationally recognized as one of the premier fair housing organizations in the United States. HOPE Fair Housing has conducted hundreds of rental, sales, insurance and mortgage lending tests.
Over the summer and fall of 2013, HOPE Fair Housing conducted several paired tests in Oak Park. The testing results showed evidence of discrimination based on race and disability. Additionally, while not specifically tested for, there was evidence to support discrimination based on familial status and age. On February 18, 2014, the Board received the HOPE Fair Housing Report. The fair housing testing results as reported by HOPE were deemed both distressing and intolerable. In response and to affirm the Oak Park community commitment to fair housing, a Task Force was established by the Village Board on April 7, 2014. The Task Force was charged with examining the following as it related to fair housing: (1) the enforcement of existing laws and ordinances; (2) community education; and (3) oversight of housing-related agencies in Oak Park.
Alternatives
The Board may request additional information regarding proposed timing for implementation.
Previous Board Action
On April 7, 2014, the Village Board established by Resolution a Fair Housing Task Force and the Village Board received the Task Force Report on December 8, 2014. A Study Session was held January 12, 2015 to discuss the recommendations contained in the report at which time the Village Manager was directed to propose a schedule for implementation of the various recommendations of the Task Force.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Fair Housing Task Force was established as a temporary advisory organization which concluded its service with delivery of the Report in 2014.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Over time the Village Board will continue to receive recommended legislative actions based upon the report of the Fair Housing Task Force.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The Village predominately coordinates with Cook County and HUD in areas related to Fair Housing.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
N/A.