The Arizona Fair Housing Partnership

Fair Housing Summit

Summary Report

The Arizona Fair Housing Partnership hosted a one-day summit at the Mountain Preserve Conference Center in Phoenix, on April 7, 2000. The summit entitled "Fair Housing: Then, Now and Tomorrow," occured during Fair Housing Month.

The summit brought together a diverse group of people from all sectors of the housing industry, government and the public. The group examined the changing face of discrimination in Arizona from its early roots to present impediments to fair and affordable housing.

Based upon tis information, participants proposed the solutions contained in the report to create equal housing opportunities for all Arizonans.

Summary of Challenges Identified by Summit Participants

Mortgage Lending Discrimination
Resistance to Group Homes
Accessible Single and Multi Family Housing
Reasonable Modifications and Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
Adult Communities
Steering
State Occupany Standards,
Established Rental Income Guidelines
Discriminatory Insurance Underwriting Practices

Proposed Solutions Identified by Summit Participants

1. Educate consumers and real estate professtionsl about the mortgage loan process. This includes the types of mortgages, legal rights, responsibilities and how/where to file complaints.

2. Involove and educate neighbors regarding the need, planning and operation of proposed group homes in neighborhoods.

3. Adopt the IBC-2000 building code to incorporate fair housing accessibility requirements. Provide training and technical assistance to implement and enforce the accessibility provisions of the code.

4. Have homebuilders ofer accessible design options and features for new single-family homes.

5. Educate rental property owners and managers, homeowner associations and residents about fair housing requirements for persons with disabilities.

6. Create additional funding sources to assist with the purchase, installation and construction of necessary modifications required to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

7. Increase education and enforcement of fair housing laws affecting adult communities.

8. Change the state fair housing law to allow disclosure of conciliation agreements.

9. Amend the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to increase occupancy standards for families with children.

10. Encourage the rental housing industry to consistently apply rental income guidelines to all prospective tenants at a particular property.

11. Audit the insurance industry to eliminate discriminatory policies and practices.