FHO's Commitment to Racial Justice

Policies, practices and procedures that ensure equitable outcomes across race. The focus is on closing the gaps so that race does not predict one’s success, while also improving outcomes for all. To get to racial equity requires targeted strategies that focus on improvements for those worse off, and move beyond services to focus on changing policies, institutions, and structures, while shifting power to those who have been most disadvantaged.

Prejudice, based on race and othering, whether explicit (conscious and intentional) or implicit (unconscious and unintentional). Racial bias can impact both individual and institutional behavior--sometimes simultaneously when individuals are acting and interacting in institutional contexts and capacities—which is manifested in systems and policies that segregate, exclude, and do harm.

Unfair treatment based on race (such as landlords’ refusal to rent to people of color, banks’ refusal to lend to people of color, government disinvestment in neighborhoods of color, etc.)

Separation by race, often residentially, but also other forms such as occupationally and educationally.

While racial inequality has different impacts on different racial groups, there is also a need for an inclusive and unifying term that encompasses a variety of groups that are disadvantaged by systemic racism, including Native People and people who are African Americans, Asians, Latin(o/a/x)s, Middle Eastern and North African, Multiracial and Pacific Islander. It is helpful to identify and name all of these specific groups in order to be mindful of inclusion. “Native People” are named first, distinctly, and together with “People of Color.” This honors Native People as the first people of this land and recognizes that Native People, in addition to a racialized identity, also have a sovereign national and tribal status.

This involves interrupting and eliminating policies and practices that result in unfair treatment and outcomes.

This involves the remedying or redress of inequities. Reconciliation and reparations are both important tools for addressing historic and contemporary racial discrimination.

Racial equity involves not only the absence of racial inequities, but also the presence or prospect of sufficient systems and supports that affirmatively and sustainably support equity. This can refer to existing, emergent, or possible new systems.

Accessible, affordable, inclusive, quality, stable, safe, and sustainable long-term housing, where people have choices, agency, and satisfaction with their homes and neighborhoods.

This involves fairness, across race, in key measures of well-being such as infant mortality rates, educational attainment, homeownership, household income and wealth, employment rates, health care access and quality, and life expectancy.

All means all, whether you are documented or undocumented, housed or homeless, renter or homeowner, incarcerated or not, citizen or not, etc.

Refers to people or households having to spend an unsustainable portion of their income on housing costs, encompassing a variety of challenges, such as insufficient income, overcrowding, and moving frequently.

Accessible, affordable, inclusive, quality, stable, safe, and sustainable long-term housing.