10-15-2019 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing2019 King County
Analysis of Impediments to
Fair Housing Choice (AI)
City Council
October 15, 2019
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Policy Question
Should the City Council approve the 2019 King County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice?
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What is the AI?
Local analysis by King County.
Conducted on behalf of entire region, including Federal Way. Does not represent Seattle or Milton.
Gathers community feedback on housing issues.
Looks at barriers to fair housing choice.
Guides policy and funding decisions on housing to
End discrimination and
Overcome historic patterns of segregation.
Required by federal regulations.
Based on tools provided by US HUD
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview
AI for King County Consortium, which includes all of King County with the exception of the Cities of Seattle and Milton.
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/sites/default/files/AOI-Draft-7-25-2019.pdf
Primarily based on the structure of HUD’s 2017 Assessment of Fair Housing Local Government Assessment Tool and the data from the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Data and Mapping
Tool provided by HUD.
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Community Feedback on Housing
Rental housing
Rent increases make area unaffordable
Building renovations displace renters
Affordability among low quality units
Ownership market
Affordability among older homes; newer homes too costly
Young families can’t afford; elderly displaced
Need more affordable housing, protect mobile home parks, more education on housing discrimination and tenants’ rights
Survey and community outreach process
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What is Fair Housing?
Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against protected classes.
Additional protections in Washington & King County.
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview
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Testing for Housing Discrimination
Conducted by Fair Housing Center of Washington.
Tested for:
Differential treatment based on a protected class status or
Discriminatory policies that placed additional barriers to housing due to a person’s inclusion in a protected class.
Tests were two-part, in which a member of a protected class and a control tester apply for the same housing.
(1)
Tests are both expensive and time consuming. The capacity to conduct more tests is constrained by both factors.
(2)
Access Living (Chicago) received $325,000 for a three-year grant in 2012; could do 70 tests annually. This works out to about $1,548 per test. That is about $1,752 in 2019 dollars.
If FW wanted to contract for 375 tests, costs may be upwards of $650,000.
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/em/spring14/highlight3.html
https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/FHIP2012BLURBSP_5-7-12.PDF
(3)
Testing done by FHC under contract with King County through 5/31/19
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/sites/default/files/AOI-Draft-7-25-2019.pdf
(4)
https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/calculating-sample-size/
FW, ACS 13-17: 14,591 occupied housing units paying rent
95% confidence level; 5% MOE
Ostensibly cost-prohibitive
Note: 352,708 occupied housing units paying rent in KC; sample size ideally should be
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Housing Discrimination, cont’d
Of 82 tests countywide, 39 found evidence of violations of the Fair Housing Act.
Included 5 tests in Federal Way; 3 tested positive.
Ideal sample size: 384 for King County (excluding Seattle)
95% confidence level and 5% margin of error .
Fair Housing Center recommends:
Additional testing; and
Fair housing education.
Tests are both expensive and time consuming. The capacity to conduct more tests is constrained by both factors.
Additional testing to 1) further identify potentially systemic barriers to fair housing, 2) make violators aware of their actions and 3) bring violators into compliance with Fair Housing
law.
Education including annual fair housing to combat discrimination, for both new and seasoned property managers, leasing agents and others.
Testing done by FHC under contract with King County through 5/31/19
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/sites/default/files/AOI-Draft-7-25-2019.pdf
https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/calculating-sample-size/
FW, ACS 13-17: 14,591 occupied housing units paying rent
95% confidence level; 5% MOE
Ostensibly cost-prohibitive
Note: 352,708 occupied housing units paying rent in KC; sample size ideally should be
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Goals Identified in the AI
Invest in programs that provide education and enforcement of fair housing laws.
Engage underrepresented communities in ongoing efforts to understand barriers and increase access to opportunity.
Provide more housing for vulnerable populations.
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/sites/default/files/AOI-Draft-7-25-2019.pdf
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Goals Identified in the AI
Provide more housing choices for people with large families.
Support efforts to increase housing stability.
Preserve and increase affordable housing in communities at high risk of displacement.
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/sites/default/files/AOI-Draft-7-25-2019.pdf
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Goals Identified in the AI – Cont’d
Review zoning laws to increase density in urban areas.
Work with communities to engage in community revitalization efforts.
Support the Affordable Housing Committee’s efforts to promote fair housing.
https://www.cityoffederalway.com/sites/default/files/AOI-Draft-7-25-2019.pdf
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Questions?
2019 King County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
City Council
October 15, 2019
Staff Contacts:
Sarah Bridgeford, Community Services Manager
Joseph Adriano, CDBG/Human Services Coordinator
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