April proclaimed Fair Housing month in Moyie Springs

MOYIE SPRINGS — April has been recognized as Fair Housing month in the city of Moyie Springs.

Mayor Steve Economu made the proclamation at the April 6 City Council meeting.

In the proclamation, the mayor noted that April 2022 marks the 54th anniversary of the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Federal Fair Housing Act. The Human Rights Commission Act has prohibited discrimination in housing since 1969 and equal opportunity for all — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin - is a fundamental goal of the nation, nation, state and city.

Equal access to housing is an important component of this goal — as fundamental as the right to equal education and employment. Housing is a critical component of family and community health and stability, Economu said in the proclamation

Housing choices impact children’s access to education, the community’s ability to seek and retain employment options, the cultural benefits we enjoy, the extent of our exposure to crime and drugs, and the quality of health care we receive in emergencies.

The laws of this nation and our state seek to ensure such equality of choice for all transactions involving housing, Economu said in the proclamation.

“Ongoing education, outreach and monitoring are key to raising awareness for fair housing principles, practices, rights and responsibilities; and only through continued cooperation, commitment and support of all Idahoans can barriers to fair housing be removed,” he added.