March 2021
The Enforcement Division continues to focus on providing excellent customer service and conducting thorough evaluation and investigation of allegations of unlawful discrimination. Our current formal complaint inventory is 2,465 open investigations. Case completions for FY 21 (October 1-September 30) by staff to date are 218 EEOC cases and 180 MDCR-only cases; our HUD FY 21 contract measurement period (July 1-June 30) case completions by staff to date are 146 HUD cases. Continued thanks to all Enforcement Division colleagues for awesome teamwork!
The Housing Team continues to conduct two fair housing trainings per month, January-June 2021, for the City of Kalamazoo in conjunction with the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan (FHCSWM) to train up to 2,100 Kalamazoo housing owners, landlords, property management companies and staff on their rights and responsibilities under the Federal Fair Housing Act, the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (MPWDCRA) and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA). Congratulations to Demetrius Hunter and Rene Hoffmann for taking a leadership role in mentoring both Jonathan Wendland and Jarrett Smith in conducting fair housing trainings. All have performed wonderfully and have received great reviews. Photos and a brief description of fair housing trainings are included in this edition of CROWN.
As training is key to personal and professional growth, Enforcement staff along with other department colleagues continue to take advantage of virtual training opportunities. On February 24, Enforcement and Legal staff attended an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) virtual lunch and learn titled “Removing Barriers to Employment”. On February 25, Enforcement and other department staff attended an International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) virtual event “Human Rights at Home: Responding to Structural Discrimination and Police Violence”. Panel members discussed how international human rights principles and strategies can help provide solutions to address systemic racism and police brutality as well as actions member agencies can take to advance human rights at the local, state and federal levels through a framework for reparations. External training opportunities will continue to be made available to applicable staff upon receipt.
Lastly, congratulations to CRI Demetrius Hunter for a noteworthy settlement of $8,500 cash and a neutral letter of reference for a claimant who believed she was denied a reasonable accommodation and subjected to eviction due to her disability in retaliation for participating in a protected activity. Way to go, Demetrius!
