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County/Cities Seeking Input on Obstacles to Fair Housing
Feb 11, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jack Barden, Lee County Equal Opportunity Office COUNTY/CITIES SEEKING INPUT ON OBSTACLES TO FAIR HOUSING FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 11, 2005) - Lee County and the cities of Fort Myers and Cape Coral will hold public workshops next week seeking residents' input on any local obstacles to fair housing. The meetings are: • Monday, February 14, two sessions, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. - Lee County Administration Building (first floor conference room), 2115 Second St., downtown Fort Myers. • Tuesday, February 15, two sessions, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Cape Coral City Hall (council chambers), 1015 Cultural Parkway, Cape Coral. The meetings are being coordinated by the Lee County Office of Equal Opportunity, City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, and City of Cape Coral Community Development Department. Bill Thompson, Executive Director of Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc. (H.O.P.E., Inc.) of Miami, will conduct the forums. He is seeking public input on: • Any actions, omissions, or decisions taken because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status (having children in the household under 18), or national origin that restrict housing choices or the availability of housing choice locally. • Any actions, omissions, or decisions that have this effect. The forums are part of an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing that is required of all localities that receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The Lee County Office of Equal Opportunity investigates employment and housing discrimination complaints at the county level. It is the local equivalent to the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Through outreach and education, the office aims to promote equal opportunity in employment and housing by: • Investigating housing complaints on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. • Investigating employment complaints on behalf of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. • Striving to stop discrimination before it starts by increasing awareness in the community about discrimination laws. • Informing consumers and businesses of the steps needed to comply with the discrimination laws. • Hosting training conferences and conducting individual workshops for organizations. |