Title
Resolution to Approve the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Plan
Memorandum
In collaboration with the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED), the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC), has been working on the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing effort, mandated by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD). This effort is comprised of extensive quantitative and qualitative analysis, with data provided by HUD and local data, including primary data collection through surveys and focus groups conducted over the last several months.
The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) effort is a locally-driven assessment of access to fair housing and community assets. It is also a tool for local governments to address and reduce residential segregation and areas of concentrated poverty.
Pursuant to the affirmatively furthering fair housing mandate in section 808(e)(5) of the Fair Housing Act and in subsequent legislative enactments, the purpose of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulations in § 5.150 through 5.180 is to provide program participants with an effective planning approach to aid program participants to overcome historic patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice and foster inclusive communities that are free from discrimination.
The regulations establish specific requirements for the development and submission of an Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) by program participants (including local governments, States, and public and the incorporation and implementation of that AFH into subsequent consolidated plans and PHA Plans in a manner that connects housing and community development policy and investment planning with meaningful actions that affirmatively further fair housing.
A program participant's strategies and actions must affirmatively further fair housing and may include various activities, such as developing affordable housing, and removing barriers to the development of such housing, in areas of high opportunity; strategically enhancing access to opportunity, including through: targeted investment in neighborhood revitalization or stabilization; preservation or rehabilitation of existing affordable housing; promoting greater housing choice within or outside of areas of concentrated poverty and greater access to areas of high opportunity; and improving community assets such as quality schools, employment, and transportation.
The full AFH Plan and related appendices are attached to this resolution. The AFH Plan includes recommendations and strategies to address Affirmative Fair Housing in the County.
.Staff
Prepared and Approved by Jennifer Hall, Executive Director
Body
Whereas, HUD has mandated that local communities develop an Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Plan to provide program participants <https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=5bf4a99c0e9ff1816f176d7b3cb0fad2&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:24:Subtitle:A:Part:5:Subpart:A:Subjgrp:13:5.150> with an effective planning approach to aid program participants <https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=5bf4a99c0e9ff1816f176d7b3cb0fad2&term_occur=2&term_src=Title:24:Subtitle:A:Part:5:Subpart:A:Subjgrp:13:5.150> in taking meaningful actions <https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=8de44cde0e5a348b863cd440e5fa00d7&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:24:Subtitle:A:Part:5:Subpart:A:Subjgrp:13:5.150> to overcome historic patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice <https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=f26cc539279af7357452da96f40167cd&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:24:Subtitle:A:Part:5:Subpart:A:Subjgrp:13:5.150>, and foster inclusive communities that are free from discrimination; and
Resolved, The Ann Arbor Housing Commission approves the adoption of the attached Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Plan for Washtenaw County and the City of Ann Arbor.