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The CIVIL RIGHTS MONITOR is a quarterly publication that reports on civil rights issues pending before the three branches of government. The Monitor also provides a historical context within which to assess current civil rights issues. Back issues of the Monitor are available through this site. Browse or search the archives
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Volume 10 Number 4 LCEF Joins With National Fair Housing Alliance In Project On Community Tensions Related To Fair Housing
The Leadership Conference Education Fund (LCEF) will undertake a major two-year project to develop and implement programs for preventing and responding to community tensions that arise from persons exercising their rights under the Fair Housing Act. LCEF, working in conjunction with the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and local fair housing groups, will establish model programs in Boston and Chicago and a local team trained to respond to tensions in San Diego. The overall goals of the project are to develop and implement the local programs, to document the process, and recommend methodologies for replication in other communities.
The project is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Fair Housing Initiatives Program, National Focus Education Outreach Community Tensions Project. LCEF and its partners will work with policy makers, community leaders and stakeholders to develop comprehensive programs that involve the major institutions of the communities.
The major components of the project are:
- to conduct a national and local environmental scan to assess the extent of work and expertise in this field;
- to develop a national and local advisory groups of experts and community stakeholders to help direct the project;
- to develop local programs that include community education, media outreach, and prevention strategies;
- to establish and train local rapid response teams to address tensions when they arise; and
- to produce a report documenting the process and recommending strategies that other communities can adopt.
LCEF and NFHA bring a great deal of expertise to the project. LCEF has extensive experience and expertise in public education, media campaigns and intergroup relations. It enjoys a close relationship with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), the nation's oldest and most broadly based civil rights coalition. NFHA is an umbrella organization of more than 80 fair housing groups across the country. LCEF and NFHA will provide or supervise all of the training and technical assistance for the project.
In implementing the project, LCEF will also work closely with the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, and Access Living in Chicago; the Fair Housing Council of San Diego; and the Fair Housing Center of Greater Bostion, organizations deeply committed to fair housing.
The Need
The sources of community tensions are multiple. Changes in housing markets resulting from the entry of a particular immigrant group, proposals to establish group homes and the implementation of mobility programs have prompted outbursts of NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) across the country. The project will focus on two major metropolitan areas and will develop a component of the project in San Diego.
Former LCCR Director Marvin Caplan Publishes Farther Along: A Civil Rights Memoir
"In Farther Along: A Civil Rights Memoir, Marvin Caplan, one of the 'unsung' heroes of the civil rights movement, captures the essence of the struggle for equality from a grassroots standpoint. Caplan quietly and eloquently gives an insider's view of the great civil rights coalition's fight for justice , and its own internal struggles to stay the course through sometimes crushing adversity. He brings personality and dimension to the many diverse people and organizations who fought for equal rights. Most important, he brings to life the 'invisible' people who fought behind the scenes. Through his memoirs, Caplan chronicles our nation's ongoing endeavor to become 'One America,' where there truly is equality in a free, plural, and democratic society.' We may not be there yet; but because of the efforts of people like Marvin Caplan, America is indeed 'farther along.' - Wade Henderson, Executive Director, LCCR
The book is available to LCCR members and affiliates at a reduced price of $25.00. Copies of the book may be purchased at the offices of the Leadership Conference (1629 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006) or requested by e-mail at haywood@civilrights.org
Questions should be directed to Lisa Haywood, Office Manager, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, 202/466-3311.
  
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