Bill Text: NJ AJR136 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 50th anniversary of Fair Housing Act.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-12-17 - Substituted by SJR84 [AJR136 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR136-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE CHAPARRO
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 50th anniversary of Fair Housing Act.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.
Whereas, 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act; and
Whereas, In the mid 1960s, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the Chicago Freedom Movement, a campaign to extend civil rights activities to northern cities due to the prevalence of housing discrimination throughout the United States; and
Whereas, On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law, seven days after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and
Whereas, The Fair Housing Act sought to reverse decades of discriminatory housing practices, establish protections for minority individuals, and advance equal opportunity in housing policy in prohibiting discrimination in housing rental, sales, or negotiations based on the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of the tenant or purchaser; and
Whereas, Prior to the signing of the Fair Housing Act, race-based housing discrimination patterns were prevalent across the United States and prevented many Americans from obtaining adequate housing; and
Whereas, A process known as "redlining," or the refusal to lend money or extend credit to those living in certain towns or districts, often based on the demographic makeup of those areas, adversely impacted poor and minority communities by making it difficult for those individuals to obtain a mortgage; and
Whereas, The Fair Housing Act outlawed redlining, acknowledging the fact that housing location has a direct impact on an individual's quality of health, education, and economic opportunity; and
Whereas, Lack of access to safe, quality, affordable housing negatively impacts an individual's physical and mental wellbeing, and has a particularly significant impact on children; and
Whereas, New Jersey is committed to promoting fair housing policies and fostering inclusive communities in accordance with the Fair Housing Act; and
Whereas, Therefore, it is appropriate to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Governor and Legislature of the State of New Jersey hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the signing of the federal Fair Housing Act. Prior to the signing of the Fair Housing Act, discriminatory housing policies rendered many Americans unable to find safe and adequate housing. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing policies based on the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of the tenant or purchaser. Access to quality housing has a direct impact on an individual's health, education, and economic opportunity. Fair housing policies ensure that every citizen has access to adequate housing and community, as well as educational and economic opportunity.
Although the Fair Housing Act outlawed discriminatory practices such as redlining, a lack of access to safe and adequate housing continues to persist in some communities. A continuous effort is needed to ensure that all individuals have access to quality housing. Therefore, to demonstrate that New Jersey is committed to advancing fair housing policies and fostering inclusive communities, the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act should be commemorated.
