High Point's fair housing ordinance receives federal approval

The city of High Point now has the authority to enforce federal laws against housing discrimination.

The High Point City Council learned in a recent special meeting that its fair housing ordinance was approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

According to the ordinance, investigations will be initiated within 30 days of a complaint being filed with the city's Human Relations Division.

The approval also means High Point will now have an interim Fair Housing Assistance Program certification. That allows for federal funding for things like training and development initiatives.

City Managing Director Jeron Hollis says staff reductions at HUD have created the potential for delays, but the city is still on its planned timeline.

"We hope that as things get more equilibrium that we'll be able to continue some of the standard partnerships and support that the program has offered in the past," he says.

High Point previously referred complaints to the North Carolina Human Relations Division. The city has hired an investigator to now process these disputes locally.

High Point is expected to begin accepting fair housing complaints under its local ordinance in the fall.