COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE APRIL AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH IN MONROE COUNTY

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month, recognizing that Equal Housing Opportunity is guaranteed to all Americans under Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Law. Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Christine Hurley accepted the proclamation at Wednesday's regularly scheduled meeting.
 
"Monroe County is pleased to join in that designation since it provides an opportunity for all Americans to rededicate themselves to the principles of freedom of housing choice and to reacquaint themselves with the rights and responsibilities that are theirs under the law," said Cates in the resolution. "Fair housing is consistent with the principle of equality and justice for all – principles upon which our nation was founded – we all need to share in the fight to ensure fair housing is a reality for all residents."
 
The Monroe County Land Authority supports fair housing by buying land and partnering with affordable housing developers and can contribute funding to affordable housing construction with a federal partner to provide housing opportunities for all community members. The Land Authority also has a program that can buy out hurricane-damaged properties from willing sellers. The Monroe County Housing Authority, a separate entity, provides fair housing education and outreach services in the Florida Keys.