EXHIBIT D-1
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND RESPONSES AS OF OCTOBER 15, 2014
Organization
Comment
Lake County Response
Open Communities
Open Communities commends Lake County and Applied Real Estate
Analysis on the thorough and thoughtful Analysis of Impediments. We would
like to stress the importance of this document and look forward to the active
implementation of the Action steps.
Impediment 17 identifies the problem that protected classes may not have
equal access to housing opportunities. The review of testing results is
identified as a recommended action. We would also encourage continued
testing throughout Lake County.
Testing also allows fair housing centers to look for fair and equal treatment in
all housing, as well as accessibility issues in new construction. While the
recommended actions focus on reasonable accommodations, the County
should also encourage accessibility both in new construction and existing
housing stock increases housing opportunity for people with disabilities.
Lake County appreciates the continued
support of Open Communities.
Under Impediment 2, the AI notes that the county has not developed a fair
housing policy statement or fair housing ordinance that applies to
incorporated and unincorporated areas. Open Communities suggests that
Lake County consider additional protected classes such as source of
income, gender identity and housing status.
Open Communities would add to the list of Public Sector Impediments the
need for addressing multiple language needs. Strategies for affirmative
marketing could include municipal promotional materials and website that
welcome diversity. Materials should be reviewed for equal housing logos,
diverse human models and welcoming language, and all materials for the
public should be in multiple languages, particularly Spanish.
The County will consider these comments
during the process of developing a fair
housing policy or statement.
Open Communities
When it comes to the Latino community, Open Communities is also
concerned about the occupancy codes and “crime free” programs that may
have a disparate impact on minority communities.
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