Assessment of Fair Housing

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2019

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) is a legal requirement that federal grantees, such as the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD), carry out the purposes of the Fair Housing Act. In addition to combating housing discrimination, AFFH requires these entities to overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics as defined by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related statutes, including: race, color, religion, national origin, gender, familial status, and disability. Chester County, Pennsylvania is located in the metropolitan Philadelphia region. With 519,293 diverse residents, this rapidly growing county has low unemployment and high median income, but is challenged by mitigating high housing costs for low income individuals. In June 2017, DCD and the Housing Authority of Chester County (HACC), received approval for their joint Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The AFH Action Plan establishes housing, community development, and transportation goals, among others, with corresponding action items that will guide efforts to affirmatively further fair housing through 2022. Chester County has one of only 49 AFHs approved by HUD throughout the country.