Fair Housing
The Norwalk Fair Housing Advisory Commission and the position of Fair Housing Officer were established by court order and municipal ordinance in 1986 and arose from a lawsuit brought by the Norwalk chapter of the NAACP against the City of Norwalk. Details of the functions can be found in Norwalk City Code §59A-11 to 16. In short, they share a mission to educate, advocate, assist and advise the City and its residents regarding housing discrimination with the goal of eliminating it.
The Fair Housing Advisory Commission monitors private and public housing practices for compatibility with fair housing laws and objectives, identifies problem areas and makes recommendations to the Mayor, Common Council and Housing Site Development Agency/Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and other appropriate city agencies/commissions.
The Fair Housing Officer: provides information/assistance regarding landlord/tenant laws, housing discrimination and foreclosure; investigates housing discrimination complaints and assists residents in seeking remedies; conducts educational programs and writes a quarterly newspaper column; works with Norwalk landlords and tenants, property managers and real estate professionals; and assists developers and architects of new multifamily housing as to the accessibility requirements in the Fair Housing Act.