Street roots., June 12, 2009, Page 16, Image 16

16
Fast
Facts
Every year, the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development checks in on nationwide fair
housing practices and housing discrimination. Their
2008 report, released June 8, found that housing
authorities in 2008 received a record number of
discrimination complaints from renters and home-
buyers.
• 10,552 housing discrimination complaints were
filed with housing authorities in 2008 — more than'
in any ojther year. ■ t
• 44 percent of complaints alleged discrimination
because of disability.
• 35 percent alleged discrimination based on race.
• 57 percent said their rental or sale property
included discriminatory terms, conditions, services or
facilities.
AT ISSUE: SECTION 8
ACT
Demand HUD meet the full demand of
housing our poor, disabled and elderly
NOW
Steps you can take to make a difference
What you can do:
Call the Portland HUD field
office and tell them to
restore $550,000 In funding
needed to make sure more
Oregon families are not
kicked to the streets.
Solution
• Immediate action from HUD is requested to fill the funding gap to keep people in their
homes. The overall gap is $600,000, but Oregon Housing and Community Services has
contributed $50,000 to provide rental assistance for an estimated 15-20 households who were
previously homeless and have the greatest need, for an estimated six rnonths. The remaining ■
figure requested from HUD, therefore, is $550,000.
• Poverty and unemployment in these rural communities is a serious problem. The State of
Oregon recently reported that homelessness in Oregon has increased 35-37%. Dona Bolt,
Oregon Department Of Education Homeless Education Coordinator, reports that in school year
2007-2008 the school districts in Clatsop, Columbia and.Tillamook counties had 540 homeless
students, of which 460 were in families.
Phone:(971)222-2600
• 25 percent said a landlord wouldn't rent to
them because of their disability, race, family status,
national origin, sex or religion.
• 13 percent of those who filed complaints said
they'd experienced coercion or intimidation, threats,
interference or retaliation.
One-third of complaint cases resulted in
conciliation or settlements.. .
• The state with the most housing discrimination
complaints in 2008 was California, with;1,282,
followed by Texas with 940.
Problem
« Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA) sent a letter May 26 notifying 285 low-
income households, in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook Counties that they will be cut off their
Section 8 vouchers effective July 1. For some, the assistance is more than 90 percent of their
rent. NOHA hopes to have funding reinstated at the end of the year, at which time the families
could have their Section 8 restored. However, the assistance is uncertain and these households
cannot wait that long.
Breaking down stereotypes
You might think of Street Roots as a social-justice newspaper with a fresh perspective. Or you might think of it as a
hand-up for the memand women who sell the paper. But at its heart, Street Roots is about seeing past our
preconceptions to recognize the common threads that make us human.
Every day we make assumptions about each other. Snap judgments are based on characteristics as arbitrary as skin
color, sexual orientation, or economic status. In an instant, we might write a person's
whole life story. Street Roots helps us to look past our assumptions, to un-write
)f discriminatory'"
housing practices.
these stories based on stereotypes and fear. ..
• In 2008, HUD granted $356,800 to Legal Aid
Services of Oregon and the Fair Housing CounciTof
Oregon to educate the public on fair housing and to.
investigate and mediate complaints.
And it all starts with a conversation. Every day, Street Roots vendors are out selling
the paper, talking to customers, creating opportunities. With each newspaper sale,
each interaction, two people have the chance to look past assumptions and re-write
the stories.
' Your support keeps these conversations alive. Every time you buy a Street Roots
newspaper, you help to foster a human element in a society that is too often filled
vyith intolerance, fear, and alienation. Thank you for taking the time to reach into
your pocket or purse for that $1, and for taking a moment to chat with a vendor.
As a small, grassroots organization, Street Roots also needs your support. We rely.on
contributions from our readers to print a quality newspaper, create income opportunities for vendors, and to keep
challenging assumptions one relationship at a time. We couldn't do it without you.
Thank you for your tax-deductable donation to Street Roots!
Donations of any size are welcome! We are also looking for Rose City Sponsorships of
$1,000 - $5,000. For more information, call Israel Bayer at 503-228-5657.
Street Bools
SU PPO R T ST R E E T ROOTS
211 NW Davis St.
Portland, OR 97209
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