Montgomery County marks Fair Housing Month as officials recall discrimination cases and legal protections

The Montgomery County Council and its Planning, Housing and Parks Committee recognized April as Fair Housing Month during their April 7 session, reading a proclamation that cites county code section 27 and the federal Fair Housing Act signed April 11, 1968.

Jim Stowe, director of the Office of Human Rights, told council members his own first fair‑housing case involved a rescinded full‑price offer and neighborhood hostility, calling the experience “personal” and saying housing discrimination remains real. Stowe said the county is averaging between 10 and 20 housing‑discrimination cases per year in 2026.

Committee members and nonprofit leaders attending the proclamation—among them representatives of the Montgomery Housing Partnership, Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, and Bethesda Cares—stressed that fair housing requires coordinated government, nonprofit and private‑sector action. The proclamation references protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability and familial status and encourages residents and housing providers to learn about fair‑housing rights.

The council thanked the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee for organizing the event and noted ongoing local efforts, including the county’s Fair Housing Justice Act provisions on criminal‑record screening and source‑of‑income protections. Staff noted that the county’s interagency fair‑housing coordinating group and the Office of Human Rights have authority to investigate complaints and remove barriers to housing choices.

The proclamation was presented as a formal recognition; no vote was required. Council members said the observance is intended to reaffirm local enforcement and community education efforts.