CDA Recognizes April as Fair Housing Month, and April 4-10, 2026 as National Community Development Week

The month of April is nationally recognized as Fair Housing Month and the week of April 4-10, 2026, has been designated as National Community Development Week. Last week at their regular meeting, the CDA Board of Commissioners made a proclamation in acknowledgement.

Fair Housing Month commemorates the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Fair Housing Month is intended to bring awareness to fair housing rights and reaffirming dedication to upholding the laws and principles of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

CDA staff proactively comply with the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and other civil rights laws to ensure that all people have equal access to housing. For example, CDA staff participate in the Fair Housing Implementation Council, a regional body that meets regularly to discuss fair housing issues, completes an Analysis of Implements for fair housing in the Twin Cities metro area, and funds fair housing activities through local non-profits. Additionally, the CDA distributes fair housing information to Housing Choice Voucher recipients and through our housing counseling services. Each April, the CDA publishes Fair Housing Month ads in local newspapers to spread awareness. Fair housing information is also available on the CDA website.

National Community Development Week occurs during the week of April 4-10, 2026, to bring attention to the CDBG program and its significance for communities across the United States. The week is used to educate lawmakers from every level of government about the CDBG program and to highlight success stories of the program.

The CDBG program provides communities across the country with direct annual allocations of grant funds to assist low- and moderate-income people through community development programs and projects. The CDA administers the CDBG program on behalf of Dakota County and receives an average annual allocation of $1.5 – $2 million dollars. Highlights of Dakota County’s CDBG program include a robust home rehabilitation loan program serving approximately 60 – 70 households every program year, public services for youth and seniors, accessibility improvements to public facilities, planning projects for Dakota County’s small cities and townships, and well sealing and septic repair through Dakota County Environmental Services.

For more information about your fair housing rights, visit our Fair Housing page.