Civil Rights Documentary Marks Fair Housing Month in Washington County

In honor of Fair Housing Month, Washington County's Office of Community Development will host a free public screening of the acclaimed documentary, Brick by Brick…A Civil Rights Story, at the Washington County Public Services Building Auditorium, 155 N. First Avenue in Hillsboro, at 6 PM on Monday, April 22nd.

Historically and statistically, identifiable groups of people have received unfavorable treatment in housing transactions. In attempting to rent, buy, get a mortgage, or secure home insurance they have been denied, harassed, given less favorable terms and conditions, or experienced a lower level of service than other groups.

As a result, fair housing laws were enacted to protect against housing discrimination based on "protected class status." Federally protected classes include race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, and disability. State protected classes include marital status, legal source of income, sexual orientation (including gender identity), honorably discharged veterans / military status, and survivors of domestic violence. The cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro locally recognize occupation and age (if over 18, excluding housing for seniors) as protected classes; and the City of Hillsboro additionally recognizes domestic partnerships as a protected class.

Washington County's Board of Commissioners also proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month at its meeting on April 2nd. Additional events will be held throughout the month to help increase awareness of fair housing. For more information about fair housing related events during the month of April, please contact Lauren Sechrist at 503-846-4436.

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