Mayor Byron Brown has teamed up with both the Housing Opportunities Made
Equal (HOME) and Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency by going on the West Side with
pamphlets to inform residents of their housing rights.
The pamphlets describe
the Fair Housing act passed in 2006 that prevents discrimination against people
for receiving government assistance, marital status, gender, religion and race
among others. Housing advocates said these rights have not been heavily
enforced by the city since the passing of the law.
The
pamphlets also include information on how landlords can prevent discrimination
on prospective tenants and their rights as a landlord.
The pamphlets state
that any complaints made should be answered within 120 days of being filed.
Fair Housing Officer
Harold Cardwell, Jr. said that he can do
no more then just tell residents of their rights.
“You can give the horse water,’ Cardwell said,
“but you can’t make them drink.” By Kaylyn
Padilla and Roshea Robinson
