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Resident urges council to revisit fair housing and questions advertising for Lake Grove project
Summary
During public comment Diane Cassidy said she opposes advertised preferences for certain groups in a Lake Grove housing project and told council she believes recent federal guidance on "affirmatively furthering fair housing" has reverted to a nondiscrimination-only standard.
Diane Cassidy of Wren Street provided public comment during the Aug. 5 meeting expressing concerns about a Lake Grove project she identified as "El Nido." She said advertising for the project described it as for "families and people of color," and she told the council that type of preference is discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act.
Cassidy described her background in rental housing and housing authority familiarity and said she reviewed recent federal changes to the rule known as "affirmatively furthering fair housing." "The affirmatively furthering fair housing law, rule has changed. As of April, it has reverted back to its 1994 meaning, which is nothing more or less than the Fair Housing Act itself, which is nondiscrimination," Cassidy said during public comment. She added, "You cannot use disparate impact," and said she wanted the council to consider this as it discusses updates to the city's comprehensive plan and fair-housing policy.
The mayor thanked Cassidy for her comments and said staff had received her materials. No council action or response beyond acknowledging receipt was recorded during the meeting.
Note: Cassidy's remarks were public comment and represent her interpretation of federal rules; the council did not take any immediate action on the matter at this meeting.
