Subject
title
Proclamation Declaring April 2026 as National Fair Housing Month
end
Department
Housing and Community Development
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Mayor and Council read and approve the proclamation declaring April as National Fair Housing Month in the City of Rockville.
Discussion
National Fair Housing Month is observed each April to commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and to reaffirm a commitment to equal housing opportunity for all. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Commemorating this landmark civil rights legislation allows communities to reflect on the importance of preventing housing discrimination and to promote policies and practices that foster inclusive, equitable neighborhoods.
Declaring April as National Fair Housing Month in the City of Rockville shows support for the principles of fair housing. Affirmatively furthering fair housing underscores the work of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), including through mediating landlord-tenant complaints, helping residents to navigate affordable housing options, providing families with down payment assistance, and more.
To raise awareness of fair housing in April 2026, DHCD:
1. Initiated an annual fair housing student arts competition;
2. Partnered with the Communications and Community Engagement to film a Conversations with Mayor and Council segment highlighting the DHCD’s housing programs; and
3. Provide opportunities for city residents to learn about the history, legacy, and current issues related to fair housing.
This effort also connects Rockville to broader regional fair housing work in the Washington, D.C. region. In 2023, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments collaborated closely with eight local jurisdictions to help them meet fair housing requirements through the development of the Regional Fair Housing Plan, marking the first time in 25 years that local jurisdictions have joined together to create a joint plan for metropolitan Washington.1 Rockville joined these coordinated efforts through Montgomery County, which help ensure consistency in fair housing protections across jurisdictional boundaries and strengthen the region’s collective commitment to equitable housing opportunities.
By declaring April as Fair Housing Month, Rockville will strengthen community awareness of fair housing, promote inclusive housing practices, and reaffirm the city’s commitment to ensuring that all residents have equal access to safe, affordable, and nondiscriminatory housing opportunities.
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time the Mayor and Council has made a proclamation commemorating National Fair Housing Month.