High Point council adopts amendments to fair-housing ordinance, staff says subpoena provision is rarely used

High Point’s City Council adopted amendments to the city’s fair-housing ordinance on July 15 after a second-reading vote.

Managing Director Joran Hollis explained the changes as part of a 'substantial equivalence' process required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and said the ordinance includes limited subpoena and civil-penalty authority for the director. Hollis told council the subpoena provision mirrors what HUD requires and is a rarely used enforcement tool intended to support investigations when necessary. “If you look at other levels of agency... you do have that same requirement,” Hollis said, adding that most cases will be handled through confidential case review in coordination with the legal department and monitored by HUD, with results reported publicly.

Council members asked about council oversight of individual cases. Hollis said the review process would be similar to employment-law processes and would not be a play-by-play public proceeding; instead, staff will report outcomes publicly after investigations conclude. Councilman Moore said he supported fair housing but asked staff to return regular reports so the council can monitor how the new function is working.

After discussion, a motion to approve the amendments was moved and seconded and the ordinance was adopted following the second reading.

The adoption implements the ordinance changes discussed and authorizes staff to carry out the process described; no roll-call tally for this vote appears in the transcript.