West LA Times

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 18, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica is commemorating Fair Housing Month this April with a series of events aimed at raising awareness about fair housing laws and celebrating the creativity of local youth. The city will be hosting a free symposium on local fair housing laws and housing discrimination at the Main Library, along with announcing the student finalists of the annual youth poster contest.

The 2024 Fair Housing Symposium, scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Main Library Multipurpose Room, will feature insightful discussions on various aspects of fair housing. According to the announcement, "Topics include the barriers unhoused persons face in obtaining permanent housing; the impact of fair housing laws on tenant screening policies, including source of income and housing status discrimination (newly passed in Santa Monica); and a basic overview of fair housing laws."

The event is open to a wide range of participants, as stated, "Property owners, managers, attorneys, social-service providers, tenants, and all members of the public are invited to attend." Those interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register due to limited space availability. Refreshments and parking validation will be provided at the Main Library lot, with biking and public transit being recommended modes of transportation.

In addition to the symposium, the city also unveiled the student finalists of the Student Fair Housing Poster Contest. The contest, with the theme "Fair housing builds communities," saw over 300 elementary and middle school students from Santa Monica participate. The panel of judges had the challenging task of selecting nine finalists from the creative entries received. The finalists, including students from different grades and schools, will have their artwork showcased in various ways, with one poster being featured in the City's 2024 fair housing newspaper ad campaign and four posters being published as calendars for 2025.

The integration of educational symposiums and creative initiatives like the poster contest highlights Santa Monica's commitment to promoting fair housing practices and engaging its community in meaningful conversations about housing equality and inclusivity.