April is Fair Housing Month, and the City of Bellingham is marking the occasion with two free public events focused on housing equity history and new tenant and landlord protections. Both events are open to the public at no cost.
The first event is a screening of Decade of Fire, a documentary about the legacy of redlining and racially restrictive housing practices in the Bronx. The City is hosting the film at Mount Baker Theatre on Tuesday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a community discussion. The screening is free but registration is required through the Mount Baker Theatre website.
The second event focuses on practical information for Bellingham renters and landlords. On Monday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m., the City is hosting a free information session in Bellingham City Council Chambers to explain new rental regulations and answer questions. City staff will be joined by local support organizations for both landlords and tenants. No registration is required. More details at cob.org/event/navigating-new-rental-laws.
Fair Housing Month has been observed nationally each April since the Fair Housing Act was signed into law in 1968. The law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Washington State's law extends protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, and source of income.
The City's focus on redlining history reflects a broader statewide conversation about how historical housing policies created wealth gaps and neighborhood segregation patterns that persist today. Restrictive covenants were widespread in Washington neighborhoods through the mid-20th century, and many Whatcom County property owners have gone through the process of formally disavowing them under recent state law. For more information on Fair Housing Month events, visit cob.org/services/planning.
