Declaration of Policy

(1) Non-discrimination, affirmatively furthering fair housing and equal opportunity are the policy of the Department of Housing and Community Development in all of its decisions, policies, programs and activities. To that end, the Department shall rigorously take affirmative steps to ensure equality of opportunity in the internal affairs of the Department, as well as in its relations with the public. The Department, in performing its statutory responsibilities, shall consider the likely effects which its decisions, policies, programs and activities shall have in meeting the goal of equality of opportunity. (2) Equal opportunity and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing requires more than vigilance in the elimination of discriminatory barriers on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, age, familial status, veteran status or military service, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, public assistance recipiency (housing), and other bases prohibited by law. It also entails positive and aggressive measures to ensure equal opportunity in internal personnel practices and in those policies and programs which affect persons and political subdivisions throughout the Commonwealth. (3) The Department shall initiate, where appropriate, affirmative policies and programs designed to remedy the lingering effects of any past and present discriminatory patterns and practices and to affirmatively further fair housing to the extent that such policies and programs are consistent with the purposes and provisions of law, as amended, including M.G.L. c. 151B, Executive Orders 526, 559, and 565, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, to the extent applicable.