HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2026-34KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34
Sponsored by: Administration
A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING CITY SUPPORT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES AS OUTLINED
IN TITLE VIII OF THE 1968 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT KNOWN AS THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT TO
COMPLY WITH CERTAIN GRANT REQUIREMENTS.
WHEREAS, the United States Congress passed Public Law 90-284 which refers to the Civil Rights Act
of 1968, as amended in 1988 and also known as the Federal Fair Housing Act; and,
WHEREAS, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against certain classes of people and the
manner in which local governments may regulate housing for certain groups of people; and,
WHEREAS, recipients of Community Development Block Grant funds must affirm to further fair housing
as a condition of the grant award; and,
WHEREAS, the City has historically provided similar grant assurances affirming non-discrimination in
housing dating from 1984; and,
WHEREAS, the City has also established a non-discrimination clause in Article XIII, Section H in all
standard lease forms; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to reaffirm non-discrimination polices while receiving grant
funding through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development in
support of low-income and senior housing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA:
Section 1. That within available resources the City will assist all persons who fell they have been
discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, family status, or handicap
status, to seek equity under federal and state laws by filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, Seattle Regional Office Compliance Division.
Section 2. That the City will publicize this Resolution and through this publicity shall cause owners of
real estate, developers, and builders to become aware of their respective responsibilities and rights under
the federal Fair Housing Act and any applicable state or local laws/ordinances.
Section 3. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon pass
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS:;AY OF M
ATTEST:
Loga �ark , Deputy City Clerk
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City of Kenai 1 210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 www kenai.city
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Knackstedt and Council Members
THROUGH: Terry Eubank, City Manager
FROM: Kevin Buettner, Planning Director
DATE: April 27, 2026
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2026-34 - Affirming City Support of Non -Discrimination
Policies as Outlined in Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act Known as the
Federal Fair Housing Act to Comply with Certain Grant Requirements.
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, familiarly known as the Fair Housing Act,
prohibited discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex
or national origin. It was amended in 1988 to provide stiffer penalties, establish an
administrative enforcement mechanism and expand its coverage to prohibit discrimination on
the basis of familial status and handicap. By amending this law, Congress demonstrated a
renewed commitment to achieving fair housing.
In addition to prohibiting a wide range of discriminatory practices, the Fair Housing Act requires
recipients of federal Community Development Block Grant funds to certify that they will
affirmatively further fair housing as a condition of receiving the CDBG funds. The City will do so
with the adoption of this resolution. CDBG Grantee local governments are required to develop
proposed actions to affirmatively further fair housing at the local level, for State review. Actions
taken to affirmatively further fair housing must further the policies of the Fair Housing Act and
include activities to assure nondiscrimination in housing transactions.
Working for a number of years with the project partner, Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives, Inc.,
is one of the latest demonstrations of the City's commitment to work actively with nonprofits and
other potential partners whose goal is to further fair housing. The City has provided similar grant
assurances since 1984 and has established non-discrimination policies in various documents
such as the standard lease form and within the personnel policy.
Thank you for your consideration