[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Long Branch 2-24-1981 by Ord. No. 1006 (Sec. 14-8 of the 1971 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
Whereas the City of Long Branch, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey is receiving or applying for federal subsidies administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the purpose of improving housing and services of the community, including community development, for its low and moderate income residents, and the city is required in receiving federal subsidies to meet certain conditions to provide fair housing for people of all races, colors, creeds, national origins and sexes:
A. 
The City of Long Branch has determined that the HUD-sponsored New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Project and its activities can enable the community to go beyond the basic requirements in promoting fair housing and fair lending, and the city has entered or is in the process of entering into a voluntary relationship with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to participate in the New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Program, and successful implementation of the New Horizons Program requires community leaders to be involved in the program, committed to it and accountable for their actions on behalf of New Horizons. The implementation of a Fair Housing Task Force is perceived as the means by which diverse elements of the community may be brought together to develop a fair housing strategy.
B. 
The creation of a Fair Housing Task Force is hereby authorized, subject to the terms and conditions herein specified.
A. 
The chief elected official of the City of Long Branch shall, in consultation with HUD staff, appoint representatives of the Task Force. Said Task Force shall consist of no more than 12 members and no less than six members.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
The Fair Housing Task Force shall include one representative from each of the following groups:
(1) 
Municipal government.
(2) 
Banking and lending community.
(3) 
Real estate sales industry.
(4) 
Fair housing/civil rights agency.
C. 
Additional appointments to the Fair Housing Task Force may be selected from among, although not limited to, the following groups and organizations:
(1) 
Clergy.
(2) 
Educational institutions.
(3) 
Corporate employees.
(4) 
Tenants organizations.
(5) 
Homeowners' associations.
(6) 
Legal profession.
(7) 
Planning organizations.
(8) 
Local AFL-CIO Council.
(9) 
Handicapped organizations.
(10) 
Insurance organizations.
(11) 
Home builders' associations.
(12) 
Consumer groups.
(13) 
Human relations organizations.
(14) 
Senior citizens' organizations.
(15) 
Institute of real estate managers.
(16) 
Chamber of Commerce.
(17) 
Citizen action councils.
(18) 
League of Women Voters.
(19) 
Press and community media.
D. 
The above-noted list is not intended as exclusive or exhausting, but is merely intended as exemplary. All appointments shall be for a period of one year.
A. 
The function of the Fair Housing Task Force is to design a fair housing strategy which will accomplish both short- and long-range goals. The goals shall be determined locally, but are to anticipate measurable results and must address the objective of expanded housing choice for minorities and women. The goals shall have targeted dates for goal accomplishment.
B. 
Fair housing strategy shall include initiatives in four major areas:
(1) 
Educational programs, designed to inform and educate citizens, housing-related industries and/or be incorporated into formal educational institutions (high schools), regarding fair housing issues.
(2) 
Assistance to minority families, designed to assure that specific activities are developed for minority families.
(3) 
Local compliance activities, designed to obtain substantial uniformity with federal law.
(4) 
Special programs designed to obtain substantial uniformity at the municipal level, with initiatives currently enacted at the federal level.
All members of the Fair Housing Task Force shall be subject to removal for cause upon written charges after public hearing by Council.
The Fair Housing Task Force may adopt and enforce rules and regulations governing its internal operation and the conduct of its members not inconsistent with law.
The Fair Housing Task Force shall, as soon as is expediently possible following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the City of Long Branch and HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office of Voluntary Compliance, meet and commence an assessment of housing patterns within the city. Following said assessment, the Fair Housing Task Force shall develop a fair housing strategy and timetable for implementation, as provided in § 41-3, and identify funding sources. Said material shall be submitted for approval by the Office of Voluntary Compliance no later than six months following the signing of said memorandum of understanding. Following approval of said material, the Fair Housing Task Force shall meet thereafter no less than two times per year to monitor the implementation thereof. The Fair Housing Task Force shall function in conjunction with the Office of Community Development. The Director of Community Development shall monitor the activities of the Fair Housing Task Force. The Fair Housing Task Force shall report to and/or advise the Mayor and Council on its actions and findings periodically.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).