FY2022

HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights The Human Rights Office enforces the anti-discrimination laws for the City and receives, investigates and makes probable cause decisions on complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in the areas of education, credit, housing, employment, and public accommodation based upon the following characteristics: age, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, presence or absence of dependents, public assistance source of income, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. The Office also provides training to the community on unlawful discrimination and the civil rights history of Iowa. The Office collaborates with individuals and organizations in the planning and coordinating of events to educate on civil and human rights. The office prepares specialized materials including pamphlets, brochures and advertisements on unlawful discrimination for outreach and education. Staff of the office create yearly specialized reports and publish the annual report of the Human Rights Commission. The equity branch of the Office coordinates with City departments to assist in efforts to eliminate inequities. Work includes publishing an annual report on racial equity and the quarterly reports on social justice and racial equity, managing the social justice and racial equity grants, implementing toolkits across departments, arranging training opportunities for City staff and boards and commission members, and more recently community trainings on implicit bias, and reviewing the EEO Contract Compliance program. Black Lives Matter On June 16, 2020 City Council passed Resolution 20-159, outlining 17 actions to be taken by the City to address the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and systemic racism. One of the action items includes committing $1,000,000 to local efforts promoting racial equity and social justice including development of a new affordable housing plan and the creation of an Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission to carry out restorative justice. Recent Accomplishments: • Pride Banners displayed in downtown and Towncrest area to celebrate 50 th Iowa City Pride Anniversary. Also, Municipal Equality Index LGBTQ 8 th Annual Launch Party hosted by the City of Iowa City • Complimentary Implicit Bias Trainings offered for area businesses, organizations, and Property Managers • 24/7 online option to report discriminatory conduct without filing an official complaint. • Youth Job Fair and Job and Resource Fair held for Community Members HIGHLIGHTS

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