Title
Ordinance Amending Chapter 12 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances Ordinance to Include Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression as Prohibited Categories of Discrimination
Body
Department: Legal
Council District: Not Applicable
Public Hearing: Not Applicable
Advertising Date/By: Not Applicable
Contact 1 and Phone: Nancy Vaughan, Mayor, ext. 2002
Contact 2 and Phone: Tom Carruthers, City Attorney, ext 2320
PURPOSE:
The proposed ordinance amends the City of Greensboro's Fair Housing Ordinance to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited categories of discrimination.
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance amends the City's Fair Housing Ordinance to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited categories of discrimination in housing. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encourages the adoption of this clarification of policy. HUD must approve all changes and modifications in a local agency's Fair Housing Ordinance to make sure that it is substantially equivalent to the Federal Fair Housing Ordinance. Any such changes or modifications made to the City's Fair Housing ordinance prior to HUD approval will be void if HUD does not approve them. Therefore, staff recommends that the effective date of this ordinance be the date that HUD approves the revised ordinance as substantially equivalent to the Federal Fair Housing Act.
BUDGET IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The City Council is requested to adopt this ordinance amending the City's Fair Housing Ordinance to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as prohibited categories of discrimination in housing to be effective upon the date HUD approves the ordinance as substantially equivalent to the Federal Fair Housing Act.