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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-FHHR-rpt.pdf UI9W Accomplishments of Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee Lexington, Massachusetts 1986- 1994 1987. Testified in forum on human need in the Town of Lexington and in a planning meeting of the Human Services Committee for obtaining an EOCD giant to study equity sharing. Led discussions of the Fair Housing Committee on understanding the history and identity of Lexington's black community Representatives from real estate concerns including a relocation consultant and members of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce as well as the METCO Coordinator all played a part in these discussions. 1988: Organized Fair Housing Forum attracting state experts in fair housing issues and fair housing representatives from Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Burlington, Lincoln, Waltham and Winchester. Among the topics discussed: developing a mechanism that would allow people in Lexington to know what to do in cases of suspected housing discrimination and developing a method for responding to complaints of housing discrimination; looking for ways to put more emphasis on Lexington's positive fair housing image. Participated in Affordable Housing Options Committee(Jack Eddison and Eleanor KlauminrPr) Chairman 1989• Organized forum on Fair and Affordable Housing: Senarating Myths from Realities. The purpose of the forum was to dispel myths about presumed negative aspects of subsidized housing — — Patriots' Day March carrying signs reading 'Diversity is our Heritage! At Town Meeting Fair Housing Committee members spoke in favor of affordable housing. Reported on findings of studies done on the effects of affordable housing on property values for Goals and Policy Task Force of the Affordable Housing Options Committee. Committee represented on the Pine Meadows-Meagherville Site Development Committee Committee members helped to organize annual dinner of the Concerned Black Citizens of Lexington. • 1990: Committee interceded in incident of discrimination involving a Lexington school teacher and a Lexington merchant. Committee members testified in Town Meeting on benefits of affordable housing. Led planning in conjunction with Jacquelyn Smith, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, for training of Department Heads on the subject of diversity 1991. Led in arrangements for completion of 62 fair housing posters to honor Fair Housing Month by pupils in the third, fourth and fifth grades of the Fiske School. The posters were done in a spirit of cooperation, not as a contest, and featured openness in housing for African Americans and persons of color as well as for people with disabilities. Accomplishments, 1986 - 1994 Page 2 Printed 6,000 brochures for distribution entitled "Fair Housing in Lexington, Massachusetts: The Key to Diversity" highlighting Lexington's tradition of seeking equality for all citizens. The brochure was widely distributed. 1992: Achieved passage by Town Meeting of Article 29 amending the Town's Fair Housing Resolution(originally adopted March 23, 1981) "to extend its application to persons with disabilities? Presented M the Board of Selectmen data in the form of news articles evidencing a rise in hate incidents duected at particular groups of citizens over time. 1993: Obtained agreement by the Board of Selectmen to extend the Charge of the Fair Housing Committee so that it would become a Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee dedicated to seeking fair and equitable treatment of all citizens irrespective of group membership. Participated in meetings on the reuse of the former Metropolitan State Hospital property advocating that low and affordable housing be created for the disabled, the elderly, minorities and Ton employees. Obtained support from various Town committees to this end. 1994: Both the Executive Director and President-Elect of the Chamber of Commerce met with the Committee to discuss how the Chamber might participate in achieving greater diversity for the Town. It was agreed to have Committee representatives-attends_7ulymeeting-of-the Chamber_-- - looking toward undertaking a joint project on diversity Committee members implemented a project to introduce the Town to people of color who might be interested in taking apartments at Lexington Ridge, a new low and middle income housing development with 198 units.(See attached "Leona's Agenda: Fair Housing/Lexington Ridge Qpm House, Feb. 6, 1994'prepared by Committee member Leona Martin). A report by Lexington Ridge was issued in June showing that 11.3% of the units had become occupied by black families, 3% by families of Asian background and 2.5% by families of Hispanic origin. The Commi a continued its efforts to assure that the Town's policy toward development of housing as part of the reuse of the former Metropolitan State Hospital properties would be to include a substantial number of units allocated for low and moderate income families with a sufficient mer of two and three-bedroom units set aside and that there would be units for the disabled,elderly, minorities and Town employees. The Comma's Chairman, Gyri Weathers, assisted in the planning and implementation of a May 4th Erik Housing conference entitled "Open Minds/Open Doors. At the Conference, she was a member of a panel on the subject of"Successful Community Efforts to Achieve Diversity."The Lexington model,she stated, called for providing ongoing reminders to the community dint it had subscribed to a policy of diversity enunciated in a 1981 Town Meeting Fair Housing resolution. In September, 1993, the Fair Housing Committee had obtained agreement from the Board of Selectmen that its charge be enlarged to formalize this accent on diversity.tie Committee is now known as the Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee. Participated im conducting a survey and completing a report concerning the organization and policies of the Lexington Police Department.