A representative from Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, or HAPCAP, explained Wednesday how students can take action if they think they are victims of housing discrimination in Athens.
Zach Reizes works in the Community Development and Housing office at HAPCAP to try and promote fair housing and prevent housing discrimination, especially for students.
Reizes started off his presentation by going over the Fair Housing Act of 1968, also known as Title VIII. The act protects against the refusal to rent, sell, insure or make accommodations on the basis of race, religion, sex or familial status. The act was updated in 1988 to also include people with disabilities.
Reizes continued by going over the Ohio Fair Housing Law, which extends the Fair Housing Act to include family ancestry and military service.
Papers explaining more about the acts will be available in Student Senate offices along with the contact information for HAPCAP for students who feel they are being discriminated against. Those discriminated against are also encouraged to call HAPCAP.
Reizes said HAPCAP can also direct students to resources when dealing with landlord-tenant issues, as well as answer questions about legal standards.
The meeting continued with Treasurer Jayden McAdams presenting the budget report. Student Senate expects a rollback of roughly $1,800. Its current budget for next semester is $108,000, but it is expecting more after audits.
Student Senate also passed a resolution to purchase coffee for a staff event.
