MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES TWO CONTESTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT FAIR HOUSING IN THE CITY OF BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES TWO CONTESTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT FAIR HOUSING IN THE CITY OF BOSTON

Boston – Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced two contests, hosted by the Office of Fair Housing and Equity, to raise awareness about fair housing. An art contest calls for young Bostonians grades 1-12, to submit art work depicting the theme, “Boston opening doors for all.” The second contest, the Fair Housing Landlord Award, will recognize landlords and housing providers who not only provide safe, healthy housing, but who also provide housing that is affordable and accessible to all. Winners of the contests will be announced in April, which is Fair Housing month.

"There is no place for discrimination of any kind here in the City of Boston. This contest, in addition to a number of efforts lead by the Office of Fair Housing will help raise awareness for those who are in need of assistance. Boston is open to all, and it is important that we spread the word.”

“We believe that every month is Fair Housing Month – that is our charge and our mission,” said Dion Irish, Executive Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equity. “Each April Fair Housing Month is celebrated due to the passage of the Fair Housing Act in April 1968, just days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the rioting that followed.”

Ninety percent of Boston housing was built before 1978 and often contains lead. Families looking for housing in Boston often experience discrimination because of the presence of lead paint, denying families the opportunity to live where they want. While State law requires property owners remove lead hazards from homes occupied or to be occupied by children age six and under, landlords are incentivized not to rent to pregnant women and families with children under 6 to avoid lead abatement costs.

Before familial status protection was added to federal laws, over 50% of landlords in the United States refused to rent to families with children. Both the Art Contest and Fair Housing Landlord Award not only educate our youth about the Fair Housing Act, but it also rewards landlords who abide by the law and continue to make Boston a welcoming city for all.

Applicants for the Art Contest must meet the following criteria: 

• Student lives in Boston,  grades 1-12
• Submission must be received between January 16th and March 1st
• Submission must depict theme “Opening Doors for All” in the art work

The public online voting period will begin on March 2nd until April 1st. For more information regarding competition guidelines, visit: www.cityofboston.gov/fairhousing/. Winners will receive prizes.

Applicants for the Landlord Award must meet the following criteria: 

• Nomination may be submitted by tenants, tenant organizations, community groups, and housing providers viawww.cityofboston.gov/fairhousing/
• Nominations will be accepted from February 1st until March 13th, 2015. Self-nominations are accepted
• Nomination must consist of a statement, not more than one type written page or 300 words, stating why the nominee should be recognized 

 For more details on both contests, please visitwww.cityofboston.gov/fairhousing.