THRC Updates

THRC Chattanooga Office Closed 

The Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) Chattanooga office will be temporarily closed as of Thursday, April 27, 2023.

To file a complaint, please do so online HERE. For any other inquiries, please contact us via phoe at (800) 251-3589 or email at ASK.THRC@tn.gov

------------------------------------

THRC Releases  Its Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Report

The Tennessee Human Rights Board of Commissioners approved the THRC annual report for fiscal year 2022 at its September 26, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting.  The full report is available HERE

The report details statistical information, education, outreach, enforcment actions, and initiatives to safeguard individuals from discrimination through education and enforcement. The report was released to the public on August 31, 2022.

------------------------------------

Muriel Malone Nolen Named Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission

The Tennessee Human Rights Board of Commissioners has named Muriel Malone Nolen to serve in the capacity of Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) effective July 18, 2022. Read the full press release HERE.

------------------------------------

April is National Fair Housing Month

Each April, the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, fair housing advocates, and fair housing organizations across the country commemorate Fair Housing Month by hosting activities that highlight fair housing enforcement efforts, enhance awareness of fair housing rights, and emphasize the importance of ending housing discrimination. This year, we celebrate the 54th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. This landmark law was signed into law on April 11, 1968, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.

------------------------------------

Muriel Malone Nolen Named Interim Executive Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission

The Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) Board Chair Robin Derryberry, has named Muriel Malone Nolen to serve in the capacity of interim executive director effective February 15, 2022. The full press release can be viewed HERE.

------------------------------------

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a document that proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The document can be viewed HERE.

------------------------------------

Federal Relief Resources for Renters and Landlords- The White House’s advancement of The American Rescue Plan (ARP) for housing resources

Follow the link HERE for important updates regarding the White House’s advancement of The American Rescue Plan (ARP) for housing resources. Resources include updates from the Center's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), U.S. Treasury, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

------------------------------------

CDC Director Extends the Eviction Moratorium for 30 days

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has signed an extension to the eviction moratorium further preventing the eviction of tenants who are unable to make rental payments. The moratorium that was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021 is now extended through July 31, 2021 and this is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium. Read the complete media statement HERE.

------------------------------------

Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) COVID-19 Rent Relief for Tennesseans

For more information about COVID-19 rent relief in Tennessee, visit THDA.org.

------------------------------------

Watch Now!  Fair Housing, Evictions and COVID-19 Webinars are Now Available 

In case you missed it, you can now view fair housing, evictions, COVID-19 and other recorded webinars. These webinars provide vital information and resources to housing providers, landlords, tenants and others. To learn more about upcoming events and webinars, visit the THRC calendar of events HERE.

------------------------------------

WATCH NOW:  "Fair Housing Matters"  The Challenges of Housing Access in  A Racially Divided Nation During COVID-19

On August 13, 2020,  the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) and the Pinellas County Office of Human Rights hosted a fair housing webinar. Hear from HUD FHEO Assistant Secretary Anna Maria Farias, as well as national fair housing experts. Discussions will include: Unique Fair Housing Issues Presented by COVID-19; Best Agency Practices in the Age of Pandemic; and Fair Housing and COVID-19 as seen through Race and Gender Equity Lenses.  Watch using the following link > https://bit.ly/3ct0jyg

------------------------------------------

EEOC Resumes Issuance of Charge Closure Documents

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on August 3, 2020 that it will begin issuing charge closure documents that were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

----------------------------------

Governor Bill Lee Signs Juneteenth Proclamation 

Governor Bill Lee signed a Juneteenth proclamation on June 19, 2020, Lee said "On this 155th Anniversary of Juneteenth, we recognize the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. I signed a Juneteenth proclamation to honor this day as it represents the promise of a free and just society that is guaranteed for every Tennessean."

---------------------------------                                                                                                                                                                     

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:  What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has provided guidance, a publication entitled Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans With Disabilities Act), consistent with these workplace protections and rules, that can help employers implement strategies to navigate the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace. This pandemic publication, which was written during the prior H1N1 outbreak, is still relevant today and identifies established ADA and Rehabilitation Act principles to answer questions frequently asked about the workplace during a pandemic.

---------------------------------------------

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  Provides Important Coronavirus Information

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  (HUD) has a website dedicated to important coronavirus information which includes tool kits, messages and fact sheets for tenants, housing providers, grantees and localities to use to help keep families safe and healthy.

------------------------------------------------