BOCA RATON — In celebration of April being Fair Housing Month, the Palm Beach County Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) and the Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches (RAPB) recently held their annual poster and essay contest. This year’s theme recognized the 43rd anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and was titled “Fair Housing Opens Hearts and Opens Neighborhoods.”
Students from Loggers’ Run Middle School in West Boca swept the middle school essay competition. Winners were: Kelsi Day, first place; Hannah Doyal, second and Noelle Hoffman, third.
Elementary school poster winners were: Clayton Moore from Jupiter Christian, first; Charlene Marlowe from Cypress Trails Elementary, second and Marvin Williams from Northboro Elementary, third.
The goal of the contest was to raise public awareness of enactment of the federal Fair Housing Law, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, familial status, disability, national origin, and gender, and to encourage fair housing opportunities for all citizens.
In addition, Palm Beach County’s Fair Housing Ordinance prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation, age, marital status and gender identity or expression.
The winners received cash prizes at a reception April 14 hosted by the Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches.
