Reflecting on the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
by Erin Kemple, Executive Director
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Until the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968 – fifty years ago this month – the bill that would become the Fair Housing Act was
the most filibustered bill in history
. But with the nation rocked by widespread riots in the wake of the civil rights leader’s murder, Congress spent seven days engaged in political maneuverings that prevented the legislation from being debated, smuggling drafts out of the Capitol to prevent theft or alteration, and lobbying Senators from the South before finally passing the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) on April 11th.
The Fair Housing Act was designed to do two things. First, it outlawed discriminatory actions which prevented individuals who were members of a
protected class
from obtaining housing, mortgages or insurance. Second, it tasked federal, state, and local governments with promoting integration by requiring them to
affirmatively further fair housing
in their programs.
Today, there are fewer overt acts of discrimination like those seen when the FHA was passed. Instead, housing discrimination is now cloaked in different dress.
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New Display Highlights 100 Years of Fair Housing History
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Every April, in honor of Fair Housing Month, the Center curates a display about fair housing at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to educate legislators, staff, and Capitol visitors.
To mark the
50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
, this year we created a timeline covering 100 years of history to show how public policies and seminal court decisions created and maintain the segregated neighborhoods we see across Connecticut today.
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For over 20 years, the Center has worked to ensure that all people in Connecticut have equal access to the housing of their choice. Now, for the first time, we have a home of our own!
On April 23rd
,
the Center will open the doors of our new building at
60 Popieluszko Court, Hartford
. Our new space will enable us to host workshops, clinics, and community events, and most importantly, serve more clients facing housing discrimination or home foreclosure.
While we'll continue to serve the entire state, we're excited to make this investment in the vibrant Hartford community. And we're grateful to you, our supporters, for helping to make this a reality. Be sure to watch out for an open house invitation this spring!
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Tickets Going Fast for 10th Annual Loving Civil Rights Award Dinner!
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Join us Thursday, May 10th at the Bond Ballroom for our 10th Annual Mildred & Richard Loving Civil Rights Award Dinner.
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2018 Poster Contest Finalists
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The Center is excited to announce the finalists of our
4th Annual Fair Housing Poster Contest.
We received many terrific entries from students in grades 6 - 12 from across Connecticut in line with this year's theme: "Choice. Equity. Mobility."
The finalists are:
Joe Barberi
,
Norwich Technical High School
Ashley Edmund,
Norwich Technical High School
Dewlys Maldondo
,
Hartford Trinity College Academy
Outdam Nuon
,
Norwich Technical High School
Marysabel Rivera
, Connecticut River Academy
Yeji Yang
,
Northwest Catholic High School
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APRIL 10 - New London
Educational event with New London Landmarks exploring an African-American neighborhood that was lost to "urban renewal" in the 1960s.
7 - 8:30pm. FREE. Refreshments provided.
Mount Moriah Church, New London
APRIL 26 - Rocky Hill
Workshops & keynote speaker.
8:30am - 3:30pm. Registration Fee.
Sheraton Hartford South,
Rocky Hill
APRIL 30 - Hartford
The Center partnered with Trinity & CCC students to research the disparate impact of eviction on women and people of color. Find out what we learned at this event.
3 - 5:30pm, FREE. No registration needed.
10 Constitution Plaza, Hartford
MAY 10 - Hartford
Join us to mark the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, recognize distinguished honorees, and support the Center's work. 5:30 - 8:30pm,
Tickets $85
.
The Bond Ballroom, Hartford
MAY 16 - Bridgeport
Resources for CT homeowners facing foreclosure. Opportunity to talk with volunteer attorneys.
6 - 8:30pm. FREE. No registration needed.
Morton Government Center, 999 Broad Street, 2nd Floor OPED Conference Room, Bridgeport
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60 Popieluszko Court, Hartford, CT 06106
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