FHCWM News

City of Grand Rapids expands Fair Housing Protections

The City of Grand Rapids has expanded Fair Housing protections available to City residents through the passage of a revised human rights ordinance on August 27, 2019. It prohibits discrimination in housing, among other areas, based on actual or perceived color, race, religion or creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genotype, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, height, weight, or source of lawful income. The ordinance will take effect on December 1, 2019.  Read the City's press release, the proposed ordinance, and local coverage of the August 27th decision.

New Occupancy Standard Tools Available

The FHCWM is pleased to now offer a complementary guidebook and a Square Footage Calculator Tool to assist in determining reasonable occupancy limits based on local restrictions.  These resources serve to assist condominium associations, landlords, property owners and managers, and municipalities enforcing occupancy codes in determining how to set occupancy limitations with consideration of fair housing laws.  While the guidebook is geared towards Kent County, the resources and tools provide helpful best practice information regardless of geography. Learn more and download these tools here.