NEWS

RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 Contact: Carol Madry Bell carolmadrybell@hsvc100.org 256-651-8712

Committee of 100 Supports Fair Housing

The Huntsville Committee of 100 issued a statement today supporting full compliance with the federal Fair Housing Act, calling it the right and legally appropriate thing to do. The organization -- representing 212 CEOs and business professionals from every area of Huntsville, Madison and Madison County also committed to participate in fact-based conversations on fair and affordable housing and encouraging others to join them. We are an economic development organization that fully values and respects the importance of fair and affordable housing in attracting companies and a high-quality workforce to our community, said Dave Hargrove, Committee of 100 Chairman. Developing cooperative solutions to community issues is the core of our mission, and we look forward to working with others to ensure fair and affordable housing for those less fortunate. The Committee of 100 joined with The Community Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville-Madison County and Leadership Huntsville-Madison County in issuing statements of support for fair housing today. The Huntsville City Council is expected to vote on a resolution of support at its July 12th meeting. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle formed the community coalition to support the Huntsville Housing Authoritys vote yesterday to request a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) opinion on SB 205, a bill passed by the Alabama Legislature mandating three weeks advance notification of property considered for purchase by the Huntsville Housing Authority and preventing the authority from using eminent domain. The state bill applies only to Huntsvilles authority all others in the state are exempt. The Alabama HUD office has notified the City that this bill may be an impediment to fair housing and therefore could invite a lawsuit. We support efforts to make all public agencies transparent and accountable, but also recognize that full compliance with federal law is essential, adds Hargrove.

We applaud this proactive request by the Huntsville Housing Authority and City of Huntsville to ensure we are in full compliance and prevent a lawsuit that could cost the taxpayers of Huntsville millions of dollars. The Committee of 100 Resolution reads: 1) We support compliance with the Fair Housing Act by the City of Huntsville and Huntsville Housing Authority because it is the right thing to do and the legally appropriate thing to do. Non-compliance could result in litigation and fines that would financially cripple our local governments, and invite federal intervention and control of all public housing in our community. 2) We look forward to further participating in fact-based, non-emotional conversations on fair and affordable housing in our community and encouraging others to join us. ###