News Years News

A Grand New Year

Housing Rights, Inc. is 30 years old this year! We started off the year with a very sweet success. We were successful (or rather you, our supportes were) in meeting the match grant that we received at years end. Many thanks to the John Burton Foundation, Mechanics Bank, Andrew Wolff, Sheri and Bob Motyl, Kori Sanchez, Barbara Sanders and many others.

And of special importance...2009 is Arlene Bradley's 20 year with Housing Rights, Inc. We at HRI cannot thank Arlene enough for her dedication and hard work. There is no one who works harder for their clients than Arlene. Please find the time to give Arlene a call.

What else is new....

A little thing called an inauguration for the first U.S. President of African American descent. This has significant implications for people in the social justice field. And for organizations that fight housing discrimination. Please note that approximately 50% of the housing discrimination complaints across the county are for discrimination against people with disabilities.

There are a few other important things happening this year as well:

This is the 50th anniversary of California's Fair Employment and Housing Act. FEHA was originally enacted in 1959 as the Fair Employment Practices Act. Adoption of the Rumford Fair Housing Act followed in 1963. In 1980 the FEPA and Rumford Act were combined and remaned as FEHA to protect Californians from both employement and housing discrimination. Check out the Department of Fair Employment and Houing's for more informatino and a schedule of events.

This is the 55th Anniversary of Board v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Look for events and proclomations to highlight this important decision throughout the year. Check out Lawyers Committe for Civil Rights Under the Law (www.lawyerscommittee.org), or the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and Education Fund (www.civilrights.org) and others.

Our own Mt. Diablo Housing Opportunity Center has been open 1.5 years! Eighteen months! We are just about to start our second VITA site season (tax preparation). Download the attached copy of our 1.5 year report.

Special

I wouldn't be doing my job as Executive Director of a small non-profit if I didn't remind you that we survive because of your financial support as well as all the other support you have given us over these amazing 30 years. We have developed a list of 'painless' ways to give to Housing Rights, Inc. (as you probably have figured out you can use many of them to give to other non-profits as well!). Please consider using one of these methods (my favorite is recycling printer cartridges!) Go to our website for details: Painless Giving.

With great respect and regard,

Wanda Remmers on behalf of Housing Rights, Inc.