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Citizen’s Participation Plan

The Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) sets forth policies and procedures to provide for and encourage participation by the residents of Atlanta in the development of the City’s Con Plan and the associated AAP. The CPP also applies to any substantial amendments to the Con Plan or an AAP, the preparation of the CAPER which evaluates progress toward the Con Plan objectives, and the Fair Housing Study known as an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) or any other successor study or report for the purpose of evaluating the City’s affirmative commitment to fair housing.

While the Department of Grants and Community Development (DGCD) does not provide CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funds directly to individuals, everyone in our community plays a vital role in providing input in developing the City’s:

FY2020-2024 Consolidated Action Plan

FY2020-2024 Consolidated Plan Years

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Annual Action Plan

2024 AAP FINAL

More info about CDP Consolidated Plans, Annual Action Plans, and Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Reports (CAPERs) can be found at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/consolidated-plan/con-plans-aaps-capers/

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About Fair Housing and Civil Rights

On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which was meant as a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The 1968 Act expanded on previous acts and prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, because of:

Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation)
Familial status (children in the household under age 18)
National Origin
Disability (Including physical and mental disabilities and HIV/AIDS)

It also requires that all federal programs relating to housing and urban development be administered in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing. Title VIII of the Act is also known as the Fair Housing Act (of 1968). The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. Additional protections apply to federally-assisted housing.

Atlanta’s civil and human rights fair housing ordinance is found in Chapter 94 of the Atlanta Municipal Code as amended.

ATLANTA GA CODE PT. II, CHAP. 94. The city’s ordinance prohibits discrimination against any person in Atlanta in employment and fair housing on the seven bases identified above, as well as, age, domestic relationship status, parental status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

The City of Atlanta has established a Human Relations Commission (HRC), located in the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services, to promote mutual respect and understanding within the city of Atlanta. The HRC investigates and hears complaints regarding discrimination, makes recommendations on how to resolve such complaints, and initiates activities in keeping with its mission.

To file a complaint, please download the Human Relations Commission Complaint Form. Forms are also available for completion on premise at Atlanta City Hall.

Completed complaint forms may be submitted in one of the following ways:

Email – Send to hrc@atlantaga.gov
Online – Please visit ATL311 web portal and type “Discrimination Complaint” in the search field. Please be sure to upload/attach your completed complaint form with your submission
Mail – ATTN: The Office of Constituent Services, 55 Trinity Ave, SW, Suite 1920, Atlanta, GA 30303
In person – Hand-deliver to the Office of Constituent Services

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the Mayor's Office of Constituent Services at (404)330-6023 or send an email to hrc@atlantaga.gov.

The City of Atlanta administers a contract with the Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. to provide a citywide fair housing program. Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. provides the following services:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I've been discriminated against?

Follow the guidelines below and then . . . SEEK HELP!

Contact your local fair housing agency, Metro, at (404) 524-0000.
As you should do in any contractual relationship, keep written document of everything! Keep a written record of all attempted and actual contacts and conversations with the housing provider or housing professional.
Maintain all records. Don’t throw away anything! Keep and make copies of all documents, leases, applications, receipts, and letters, etc. Keep a good record of expenses you incur to address this issue. It is important to know the names and contact information of potential witnesses and neighbors, especially if you have experienced different treatment or services from the housing provider.

Under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Georgia Fair Housing Law, you may be entitled to financial relief, including compensatory or punitive damages. The discriminatory actor may also be required to pay your attorney’s fees and court costs, if incurred. You also may be entitled to injunctive relief (access to the property at issue or a comparable property). MOST IMPORTANT, the housing provider will have to stop the discriminatory practice against you and others.

For more information about the Federal Fair Housing, click here. This information will take you to the HUD’s website for outreach tools as well as brochures and information in multiple languages. You also will have access to search other issues including studies, reports, and directions for filing complaints.

For more information about Federal Fair Housing Act click here. This information is available in multiple languages for your convenience.

Can I Break My Lease Agreement Video?

For more info contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Housing Discrimination Hotline at (800) 669-9777 and for hearing impaired, please call TTY (800) 877-8339.

Public Notices and Public Comment Period

Information regarding the dates, times, and location of any public hearing shall be provided with reasonable and timely access to local meetings, information, and records related to the Con Plan, AAP, CPP, and Caper. We want to ensure that the most affected residents can attend and accommodations made for persons with disabilities.

Notices are published in one or more newspapers of general circulation, via the City’s website and are posted in the City’s government facilities. The DGCD will share published information with existing program partners, advisory committees, and interested citizens. Notices are communicated to Spanish-speakers through publication in a recognized Spanish language newspaper and/or advertisement on Spanish-language radio. In compliance with federal Consolidated Plan regulations, the City’s Citizen Participation Plan requires the Proposed Consolidated Plan, Proposed Annual Action Plan and any Proposed Substantial Amendment be made available for citizen review and comment for a minimum of 30-days prior to submission of the documents to HUD, unless a waiver is granted to reduce the time period due to a designated federal, state, or local emergency.

Notice of the Proposed Consolidated Plan, Proposed Annual Action Plan and any Proposed Substantial Amendment must be posted in any of the local publications referenced above at a minimum of 30-days prior to City Council adoption.

Click here to view:

DGCD Public Notices

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Analysis of Impediments

2014 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice

2020 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Final