Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc.

It's National Homeownership Month! Come join us for a FREE, Live/In-Person, Homebuyer Education Workshop! Clayton County HUD DPA Program has partnered with Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. to provide its residents with important down payment assistance information. You can receive up to $15,000 to purchase a home! Let us help you get the home of your dreams!

It's National Fair Housing Month! Come join us for a FREE, Live/In-Person, Homebuyer Education Workshop! Clayton County HUD DPA Program has partnered with Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. to provide its residents with important down payment assistance information. You can receive up to $15,000 to purchase a home! Let us help you get the home of your dreams!

It's National Fair Housing Month! Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. commits to being a continuing voice and a leader as we celebrate 55 years of Congress' passage of the federal Fair Housing Act! During the month of April, we will cosponsor events with our partners across the state, bringing awareness to housing discrimination that remains prevalent in our country.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams Introduces Bill to Expand Internet Access in Homes Across the Country

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) joined Congressman William Timmons (SC-04) to introduce the bipartisan Home Internet Accessibility Act. Congresswoman Williams previously introduced this bill in the 117th Congress.

People rely on high-speed Internet for work, learning, and connecting with the community. The Home Internet Accessibility Act will gather information on all federally assisted housing that lacks the capacity to support broadband service and will task the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with producing an action plan, including retrofitting homes, to close Internet service gaps across our country.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams said: “Over the last few years, we’ve seen how vital high-speed broadband is for our daily lives. But too many coverage gaps exist, hurting marginalized communities. My constituents have told me loud and clear: it’s too tough simply getting their homes connected. Congress must close the digital divide, but first we must know where connectivity gaps exist. The Home Internet Accessibility Act will help us ensure every home is connected to broadband and everyone can unlock the opportunity at our fingertips—no matter your ZIP Code, no matter your bank account.”

This legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: American Library Association, Building Owners and Managers Association, Common Sense, Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, EducationSuperhighway, Institute of Real Estate Management, LeadingAge, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Metro Fair Housing Services, Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Apartment Association, National Association of Housing Cooperatives, National Council of Teachers of English, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Housing Conference, National Leased Housing Association, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Multifamily Housing Council, National Urban League, Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), UnidosUS, Urban League of Greater Atlanta, US Ignite, Volunteers of America National Services, and YouthBuild USA.

Gail Williams, Executive Director of Metro Fair Housing Services said: “Broadband access for all residents of federally-assisted housing is critical. Passage of Congresswoman Williams’ Home Internet Accessibility Act would ensure that lawmakers can identify the disparities in Internet access and its direct impact on underserved populations – families with children, low-income workers, women, persons with disabilities and people of color.”

Nancy Flake Johnson, President & Chief Executive Officer of Urban League of Greater Atlanta said: “The Urban League of Greater Atlanta joins the National Urban League in advocating for this bill. We believe that internet access can serve as an equalizer for people in low-income communities seeking knowledge and connectedness in the global economy. Lack of access puts individuals and families at a disadvantage in nearly every aspect of well-being and advancement – in education, health, jobs, income generation, and more. We endorse this effort by Congresswoman Williams to close the racial and income gap and make high-speed broadband accessible to every home, community, and business enterprise across the country, regardless of income level or ZIP Code”.

Dale Royal, Executive Director of LISC Atlanta said: “LISC thanks Congresswoman Williams for introducing the Home Internet Accessibility Act. The legislation is an important step forward to better understanding the digital divide and will ultimately help to inform more evidence-based options to increase access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband within federally assisted housing.”

John Valverde, President and CEO of YouthBuild USA, said:
“Broadband Internet access is crucial to closing skills and equity gaps across the nation, particularly for opportunity youth. It is a foundational need for our economy, our education system, and the overall strength of our communities. It is incumbent upon legislators, both federal and state, to make high-speed internet connectivity a priority and find solutions that will help close the digital divide once and for all. YouthBuild USA commends the leadership of Congresswoman Nikema Williams on such a crucial issue, and we look forward to seeing this bipartisan legislation become law.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia's Fifth Congressional District. Congresswoman Williams serves on the exclusive Financial Services Committee where she is Vice Chair of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Select Committee for the Modernization of Congress. She is Freshman Class President and Co-Chairs the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as a champion of voting rights, closing the racial wealth gap, and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of their ZIP code or bank account.

Do you have any questions for us? Need to schedule a call? Or just want to learn more about Fair Housing? Message us on Facebook! We check our messages regularly and will contact you directly.

APRIL 22 IS EARTH DAY! 🌏
Learn more about Environmental Justice through this quick video that explores the connection between race and pollution in cities.

Environmental justice, explained We already know that pollution and climate change negatively affect people’s health and quality of life. But we’re not always clear about which people are mo...

Earlier this week we lost a Fair Housing giant. We at Metro are saddened by the passing of former vice president Walter F. Mondale.

Not only did vice president Mondale transform the role of the V.P. but as the co-author of the Fair Housing Act in 1968 he changed the lives of all for the better.

Read below The New York Times Op-Ed written by Vice President Mondale on the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/opinion/walter-mondale-fair-housing-act.html

RENTAL ASSISTANCE UPDATE:
City of Atlanta Residents can now apply for rental, utility, or security deposit assistance through United Way: https://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/atlanta-covid-19.../

Attention Atlantans! Did you know United Way opened the second round of Emergency Housing Assistance Program applications? This program will provide rent, utility and security deposit assistance. To apply visit: https://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/atlanta-covid-19-emergency-housing-assistance-program/.

TOMORROW!!

Join us for our annual Virtual Fair Housing Month Event: Fair Housing Justice - A Force for Creating Racial, Economic, and Social Equity. Learn more about housing in Georgia as we celebrate Fair Housing Month from 9 AM - 3 PM.

Register through the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5626308065917112590

APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH!

Join us on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, from 9 AM - 3 PM for our 2021 Virtual Fair Housing Conference: Fair Housing Justice - A Force for Creating Racial, Economic, and Social Equity For All.

Doors opened with the passing of the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968.

Let's look back on the progress made since the historic act was first signed into law and into the future of housing together.

FEMA is offering COVID-19 assistance relating to COVID-19 funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 FEMA will work to provide financial relief for families grieving during the pandemic.

For more information and eligibility requirements visit:
https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance