The County of Muskegon will comply with all provisions of Title VI of the U.S. Act 220 of 1978, as well as: Elliot-Larson, Civil Rights Act. Public Act 453 of 1976; Section 4, Act 251, Public Acts of 1955 as amended; Section 4a of Act 349, Public Act of 1966, and Section 4a, Public Act of 1965, all four being laws of the State of Michigan. No person shall be denied participation in any program sponsored by the County of Muskegon Emergency Repair CDB Program on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, martial status, height, weight, arrest record or handicap, except in those cases where such denial is mandated by federal and/or State law or accompanying regulations.
The County of Muskegon has adopted a Fair Housing Resolution and utilizes the services of the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan.
All discrimination complaints, whether from a contractor or a Participant, will be reviewed in the following manner:
Complaint
A. Complaint must be submitted in writing to Equal Opportunity Officer, County of Muskegon, 990 Terrace, and Muskegon, MI 49442 within 180 calendar days of the most recent
violation.
B. The complaint is reviewed by the EEO Office for violations of the aforementioned statutes.
C. If violations are found, the EEO Office will contact the aggrieved party to determine if there is a willingness to submit to voluntary mediation. The EEO Office will then offer a voluntary mediation for all parties.
D. If mediation can be reached, the parties will sign the mediation agreement and the case is closed.
E. If mediation cannot be reached, the EEO Office will forward it to the Director of Finance. The Director of Finance can request a hearing between the parties to determine what should be done or uphold the decision of the EEO Office.
F. The party has a right to file with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Civil Rights.
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Page 25 SECTION XVI FAIR HOUSING POLICY
The County of Muskegon will not discriminate in housing or services, either directly or indirectly, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, familial status, or disability. Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act includes height, weight and marital status to the protected classes listed above. It is the County of Muskegon’s policy to implement its housing programs and services to ensure equal opportunity for all persons.
The County of Muskegon adopted a Fair Housing Resolution on May 24, 2011 that is attached to the Policy and Procedures Manual.
The County of Muskegon provides interpreters and has implemented procedures to service persons with any and all types of impairments. The offices of Muskegon County are accessible and barrier free.
The County of Muskegon is entering into a contract with the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan to provide a variety of services including but not limited to outreach, testing and investigative services and education effective July 1, 2011.
Persons wishing to file a housing related complaint or concern will be referred to the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) or HUD. A copy of any complaint will be sent to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Community Development Specialist serving Muskegon County.
The County of Muskegon will include the Fair Housing Logo and EEO language in all advertising and printed materials. It will post a Fair Housing poster in a place visible to the public. The County of Muskegon will secure and distribute Fair Housing materials provided by MSHDA, Rural Development and other Fair Housing agencies and organizations. “Fair Housing, It’s Your Right” brochures will be distributed to all applicants.
The County of Muskegon will consider all applicants and contractors based on qualifications. No applicant or contractor will be denied housing or a contract based on his or her race color, national origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status and/or disability. Persons raising concerns regarding discrimination will not be subject to retaliation.
The Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan is attached to the Policy and Procedures Manual.
The County of Muskegon will include the anti-discrimination language of E.O. 11246 in all contracts in excess of $10,000.
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Page 26 SECTION XVII MARKETING PLAN
The County of Muskegon currently has a waiting list for the homeowner rehabilitation program. The County of Muskegon agrees to market the properties in the following manner:
• Inform the following entities about the availability of homeowner rehabilitation funds:
Muskegon County Homeless Continuum of Care Network
Call 211
United Way of the Lakeshore
Community Coordinating Council of Muskegon County
Every municipality within Muskegon County
Latinos Work for the Future
Black Ministerial Alliance
Muskegon Social Justice Commission
ESL Muskegon
Hispanic Coalition
Disability Connections of West Michigan
Department of Human Services
Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Agency
Rural Development
NAACP
Muskegon County Case Managers Workgroup
Muskegon County Emergency Needs Committee
West Michigan Employers Association
NAMI
Muskegon County Realtors Network
Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
Legal Aid of West Michigan
All service clubs in Muskegon County
Church bulletins
The County of Muskegon will also issue a press release about the availability of the funds and how to apply.
Classified ads will be placed in newspapers reaching the minority populations as well as those in the townships.
The description of the program as well as the Policy and Procedures Manual, application and other pertinent materials will be placed on the County of Muskegon’s website.
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Page 27 SECTION XVIII OFFICE PROCEDURES
The Grant Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Program. The Grant Coordinator or a representative of Muskegon County will:
Market the program;
Assist the participants in preparing their applications;
Verify income and all other program eligibility;
Work with the Land Bank staff to develop bid specifications for the work;
Issue requests for proposals for construction contractors;
Work with the County Purchasing Department to ensure that all County Purchasing Policies and Procedures are being followed;
Issue contracts to construction contractors;
Ensure that the EEO Officer is maintaining the Logs;
Follow established County procedures for payment of invoices, recording of payments including on an amortization schedule;
Request on an annual basis the following information from the participants:
o Payment of property taxes;
o Legal status of premises;
o Occupancy of premises
o Verification of homeowner insurance
Maintain notes of monthly activities for Progress Reports;
Prepare Program Goals for Completed Projects for the County Board of Commissioners;
Prepare Grant and Loan Status reports for the County Board of Commissioners;
Prepare quarterly reports of loan re-payments; and
Report on referrals to Department of Human Services, Rural Development, Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Agency and other community based organizations.
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Page 28 SECTION XIX
LEGAL
The County of Muskegon will seek legal advice from its Corporate Counsel as needed and will charge such services to the administrative budget.
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SECTION XX