RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026 AS THE ANNUAL “NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Johnson & Sen. Lockman

Reps. Harris, Osienski, Bolden, Bush, Carson, Gorman, Griffith, Lambert, Morrison, Romer, Kamela Smith, Snyder-Hall, Berry, Ortega, Phillips; Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Pinkney, Huxtable, Hoffner, Cruce, Hocker, Wilson, Brown, Buckson, Lawson, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Poore, Richardson, Seigfried, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 112

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026 AS THE ANNUAL “NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, April 2026 marks the 58th Anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1968, which included among its provisions the federal Fair Housing law, and the 57th Anniversary of Delaware’s Fair Housing Act; and

WHEREAS, it was the purpose of the Fair Housing Act to eliminate, as to housing offered to the public for sale or rent, discrimination based upon race, color, religion, or national origin; and

WHEREAS, the federal Fair Housing Act was amended in 1974 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, and in 1988 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of familial status and disability; and

WHEREAS, today protections against discrimination in housing are provided in the Delaware Fair Housing Act, Title 6, Chapter 46 of the Delaware Code; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Fair Housing Act has been amended from time to time since its enactment and now additionally prohibits discrimination based on creed, marital status, source of income, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, housing status or military status; and

WHEREAS, the 152nd General Assembly passed legislation in June 2024 to amend the Delaware Fair Housing Act to prevent discrimination based on the use of government rental assistance, becoming fully effective for renters in January 2026; and

WHEREAS, the state’s public housing authorities and housing stakeholders continue to work to streamline processes to improve access to rental assistance and housing opportunities for Delaware residents; and

WHEREAS, discrimination in the sale or rental of housing is just one example of barriers some households face when trying to maintain stable housing in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Delaware remains among the states where many renters face significant housing cost burdens, with market rates for two-bedroom units having increased 40% since 2019; and

WHEREAS, a substantial portion of extremely low-income Delaware renter households remain severely cost burdened, with housing costs consuming 50 percent or more of a household’s gross income; and

WHEREAS, Delaware continues to face a shortage of rental units that are affordable and available for low- and extremely low-income renters; and

WHEREAS, many Delaware residents continue to rely on shelters, transitional housing, or other temporary housing solutions each night; and

WHEREAS, stable and affordable housing in Delaware improves health, education, and economic stability while reducing homelessness, public costs, and workforce challenges, thereby strengthening communities and the state’s overall economy; and

WHEREAS, as we recognize the annual National Fair Housing Month, there persists an urgent need to create solutions to address affordable housing challenges, homelessness, and to promote fair and equitable housing practices in the State of Delaware.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the State of Delaware recognizes April 2026 as “National Fair Housing Month” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the month of April 2026 as “National Fair Housing Month” in the State of Delaware.