Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)

Citation: Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)
Jurisdiction: Arlington (municipal)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/57214/637641171662530000 ↗

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The goal’s support for a mix of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds references several protected classes,
including race, color, national origin, and religion, while the inclusion of diverse economic circumstances indirectly
relates to additional protected groups.
In 2001, Town Meeting adopted a resolution that formally made it Town policy to “support aggressive efforts to
increase the number of affordable housing units” consistent with other Town policy and regulations, make
affordable housing a high priority in its expenditure of CDBG funds, encourage preservation of existing
affordable housing (including deed-restricted affordable housing and unrestricted housing that is relatively
inexpensive), and encourage housing for a variety of incomes, ages, and sizes consistent with fair housing laws.
Consistent with this goal, the Town is a member of the Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE), and has
partnered with the National League of Cities on its Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) training, which increases
the capacity of Town leadership to work on equity and inclusion in Arlington. In 2020, the Town hired its first
Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The position was elevated to Director, and the division is housed in
the Department of Health and Human Services in alignment with the division’s responsibilities coordinating the
Arlington Human Rights Commission, Commission on Disabilities, and the Rainbow Commission.
Assessment: It is laudable that the Town has clearly articulated and consistently affirmed a commitment to
diversity. However, the Town’s goals are not achieved simply by making commitments. The Town’s demographics
and reports from Arlington residents and Town staff demonstrate that housing discrimination continues, including