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Handicap, Sex, and Race. While we were unable to determine what <br />factors attributed to the low number of complaints filed over the past 5 <br />years, we are concerned that the public's awareness relative to their fair <br />housing rights may be a major contributing factor. We believe that local <br />fair housing outreach, education and training must be increased, as an <br />important step toward raising local awareness and establishing more <br />effective local Fair Housing Policy. <br />Impacts: Most communities benefit greatly from having local fair housing <br />legislation, effective outreach, education and training, and local <br />enforcement. Most jurisdictions also have benefited from enforcement and <br />outreach through a State having received FHAP and FHIP funding from <br />HUD to enhance its fair housing education and outreach programs, <br />enforcement and activities. However, these efforts have not generated <br />significant filing of fair housing complaints. With little knowledge of their <br />rights, the general public and potential buyers or tenants may not realize <br />that their rights have been violated or how to seek remedies offered by <br />federal and state enforcement agencies. <br />Remedial Actions: The City of San Marcos should continue increasing <br />fair housing education and outreach in an effort to raise awareness and <br />increase the effectiveness of its local fair housing ordinances. The City <br />should target funding to fair housing education and outreach to the rapidly <br />growing Hispanic and other immigrant populations. The City should also <br />continue organizing fair housing workshops or information sessions to <br />increase awareness of fair housing rights among immigrant populations <br />and low income persons who are more likely to be entering the home - <br />buying or rental markets at a disadvantage. Other alternatives for <br />increasing awareness and effectiveness of fair housing include providing <br />local enforcement. However, community development resources are <br />limited and therefore local enforcement would necessitate additional funds <br />95 <br />