For Immediate Release (March 29, 2005)
For more information: Dar Baum, 773-3181
Governor Rounds Proclaims April Fair Housing Month in South Dakota
( Pierre) - In celebration of the 37 th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Law, Governor Michael Rounds has officially proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in South Dakota.
The Fair Housing Act adopted by Congress and signed into law on April 11, 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing related transactions, based on race, color, creed, 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 handicap (disability).
In his proclamation, Governor Rounds states, “I urge all citizens to abide by the Federal Fair Housing Law and to acknowledge the needs of all of our citizens to be afforded housing opportunities free from all discrimination.”
South Dakota , like other states, has seen a tremendous growth in minority population, particularly Sioux Falls. Governor Rounds is taking this opportunity to remind South Dakotans of the opportunities they present to the home rental, sales, and lending communities.
In recognition of Fair Housing Month in South Dakota, a series of workshops on the fundamentals of Fair Housing are being held around the state. The North Dakota Fair Housing Council (NDFHC) will be sponsoring its "Fundamentals of Fair Housing" workshops in a number of communities in South Dakota. Workshops have been scheduled for the following dates: April 6 in Rapid City; April 7 Pierre; May 10 in Aberdeen; and May 11 in Sioux Falls. Those interested in attending are asked to call 1-888-265-0907 for more information. The North Dakota Fair Housing Council is a non-profit organization which was founded in 1995 and serves the States of North and South Dakota. Its mission is to eradicate housing discrimination through community education; encouragement of public involvement; assistance to those experiencing housing discrimination; and support of individuals and organizations seeking equal opportunity in housing.
Currently the Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development enforce the Fair Housing Law. The Department of Justice litigates Fair Housing cases in court, while the Department of Housing and Urban Development investigates and attempts to resolve complaints of housing discrimination.
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is an independent, quasi-public agency that finances and develops affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income residents throughout South Dakota. SDHDA is totally self-supporting and receives no tax money, appropriations or other funding from the State. SDHDA does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, handicapped, familial status or national origin.
For more information about the Fair Housing Act, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website www.hud.gov.
Download Release and Proclamation
