For the past two years the City of Beaverton has partnered with the Fair Housing Council of Oregon to complete random audits of rental units that have revealed housing discrimination.
However, the most recent audit found a smaller amount of housing discrimination in Beaverton compared to the previous year’s audit results. Thirty-seven percent of the 2010 audits resulted in a positive finding for discriminatory treatment, compared to 48 percent of tests completed in 2009.
Most striking was a decrease in discrimination based on race (25 percent for 2010 versus 78 percent for 2009). Rental units were also tested for discrimination based on national origin, the presence of children, sexual orientation and disability.
Andrea Nelson, the city’s community development block grant coordinator, said Beaverton officials are committed to working with members of the housing community to see even more improvement.”
“Discrimination in housing is not something that we can address alone; we want to hear from community members who have ideas about how we can eliminate housing discrimination in our community,” she said.
Beaverton is currently working on a new Fair Housing Analysis of Impediments in partnership with Washington County and the City of Hillsboro. This plan will help identify issues that are barriers to fair housing choice and create an action plan to address those issues.
A Fair Housing workgroup made up of various local agencies, housing providers, services providers and community members has been convened to review data and make recommendations for the plan.
The next meeting will be held on May 25 at Beaverton City Hall and is open to the public.
If you would like to learn more about this process or become involved, contact Andrea Nelson at anelson@beavertonoregon.gov.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of illegal housing discrimination or would like more information can call the Fair Housing Council of Oregon discrimination hotline at 1-800-424-3247.
