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<br />· Since many local jurisdictions do not have formal fair housing education systems in <br />place for employees who impact fair housing issues (e,g., planning/zoning, housing <br />authority and code enforcement staff.) FHCOC has recommended that local <br />jurisdictions implement a policy that requires all employees whose positions impact <br />fair housing issues attend formal fair housing training on an annual basis. During <br />the 2004-2005 report period, FHCOC did not undertake any related actions; <br />however, during 2005-2006 FHCOC will provide fair housing training sessions open <br />to all local government staff at a nonprofit rate. Flyers will be distributed to local <br />government offices. FHCOC will send notices to appropriate city departments - city <br />staff that attends the training will receive certification of attendance, <br /> <br />· Many residents do not have adequate information regarding basic housing rights <br />that may lead to an increase in undetected cases of housing discrimination. This is <br />an ongoing issue in Orange County due to an influx of new immigrant populations. <br />FHCOC has recommended that local governments provide education and outreach <br />to service organizations that specifically assist special need populations. This <br />outreach should consist of educational opportunities as well as written information to <br />educate staff members and pieces that can be provided to their clients. During the <br />report period, FHCOC provided written materials in three languages for use by local <br />jurisdictions and other service providers. FHCOC will continue to distribute written <br />materials and provide community education services; however, current funding does <br />not exist to continue the outreach project. <br /> <br />· It has been reported that some insurance companies may be targeting certain zip <br />codes for higher rates of denial or different terms and conditions, FHCOC has not <br />found verifiable evidence that such differential treatment exists; furthermore, this <br />issue was beyond the scope of this regional Orange County AI. FHCOC <br />recommends that local jurisdictions may choose to conduct an audit of local <br />insurance carriers to determine if this is a problem, and if so, isolate the basis for the <br />higher denial rates. FHCOC is able to conduct such audits with proper funding. <br />While no action was taken to review such reports during the 2004-2005 report <br />period, FHCOC does plan to conduct an audit of selected zip codes during the next <br />fiscal year, if funding for such a project can be obtained. FHCOC proposes to <br />review demographic data to determine areas where high numbers of minority <br />populations live and conduct an audit of insurance carriers. <br /> <br />· Santa Ana has distinct and independent policies and programs that affect housing <br />development. The City reviewed these policies and programs on a per project basis <br />and when appropriate mitigated the impacts of the policies through subsidies or <br />requirement waivers. Additionally, during the report period, the City required all <br />recipients of funds for housing related programs to assist the jurisdiction to <br />affirmatively further fair housing (including property owners participating in the <br />Section 8 Rental Assistance program). <br /> <br />10 <br /> <br />9/7/05 <br /> <br />190-14 <br />