Indianapolis- The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) has launched its most ambitious advertising campaign aimed throughout the state and is asking Hoosiers to “Break the Trend”. The state governmental agency, which is tasked with enforcing civil rights law including the Indiana Fair Housing Act, is encouraging Hoosiers to come forward and report housing discrimination.
The advertising campaign is made possible by a $250,000.00 Partnership Initiatives grant received by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development earlier this month.
“This is our full push,” said Jamal L. Smith, Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s Executive Director. “We’ve taken time to really listen to what problems and barriers Hoosiers are facing when renting or purchasing a home. Unfortunately, housing discrimination remains a problem.”
Smith said the advertising campaign will include traditional radio and newspaper advertisements, as well as outdoor and transit advertising. He also said they will be using social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to communicate their message.
It was reported in 2010 that less than 5% of housing discrimination in Indiana is reported. Smith hopes this campaign will create better advocacy and understanding of the issues of discrimination that exist and that more people will come forward to file a complaint.
For more information on the advertising campaign, the Fair Housing Act or other anti-discrimination laws visit in.gov/icrc or call (800) 628-2909.
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission enforces the Indiana civil rights laws and provides quality education and services to the public in an effort to ensure equal opportunity for all Hoosiers and visitors to the State of Indiana. For more information, contact Brad Meadows, ICRC Communications Manager, at (317) 501-4602.