Mayoral Proclamation - Fair Housing Month

Today, David “Mel” Starling, Mayor of Yazoo City, Mississippi, signed the following proclamation in commemoration of Fair Housing Month and the signing of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, and familial status.

View the signed Mayoral Proclamation for Fair Housing Month here.

(Pictured, left to right: David “Mel” Starling, Mayor; Stuart Tirey, CMR Government Affairs Director.)

WHEREAS, the Federal Fair Housing Act signed into law in April 1968 guarantees fair housing for all residents of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Fair Housing Act strengthens efforts that address discrimination in our communities, supporting programs that will educate the public on their rights to equal housing opportunity and the right to rent, finance and purchase a home; and

WHEREAS, April marks the anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act which sought to eliminate discrimination in housing opportunities and to affirmatively increase housing choices for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, April is nationally recognized as Fair Housing Month and it is a time to reflect on and reaffirm our national commitment to fair housing for in the United States; and

WHEREAS, economic stability, community health and human relations in all communities are improved by diversity and integration; and

WHEREAS, vigorous local efforts to combat discrimination can be as effective, if not more so, than federal efforts; and

WHEREAS, barriers to equal opportunity in housing are viewed as acts of discrimination that offend our sense of decency and fairness, and diminish the rights of all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, David “Mel” Starling, do hereby recognize April as Fair Housing Month and join in the national celebration of its 56th anniversary by encouraging all agencies, institutions and individuals, public and private, in Yazoo City, to abide by the letter and spirit of the Fair Housing law.

given under my hand and seal of Yazoo City, Mississippi, the 17th day of April 2024