Town Councilors last week declared April as Fair Housing Month, calling for special awareness and support of housing laws, and especially for local leadership commitment to affordable housing.

The resolution pointed out that discrimination because of race, color, religion or national origin in the sale, rental, leasing, or fi- nancing of housing or land for housing is prohibited by the Federal Fair Housing Law.

The councilors stressed that it is the policy of the town to run programs to ensure equal opportunity in housing for all persons without discrimination.

Councilors pledged that by using available resources the town will assist any person who feels discriminated against and seek help under federal and state laws. They also confirmed the town would provide information to property owners, developers and builders about responsibilities and rights under the Federal Fair Housing Law and applicable state and local laws or ordinances. The information is to be provided by posters, flyers and other means, including participation in the Community Housing Resource Board Hotline to which the council pledged a $100 donation from its Community Development Block Grant.

Council members are expecting to have an appraisal on the Town Office complex property on Southwest Avenue for discussion at their next meeting, Monday, April 9. They are looking to develop affordable housing at that site through the non-profit Church Community Housing Corporation (CCHC) of Newport.

According to CCHC's affordable housing strategic plan, "In the past few decades, the island of Jamestown has undergone a substantial transformation from a quiet fishing and farming community to a weekend destination for wealthy off-islanders. This has contributed to the dramatic increase in the price of housing."

CCHC officials reported that in just one year, the median sales price of a single-family home increased by 23-percent from $289,574. "At the same time the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment has risen to over $1,000, making Jamestown the state's most expensive rental housing location, and leaving many low- and middle-income Jamestown families with few housing options," according to the CCHC plan. Currently, only 4-percent (103) of Jamestown's 2,769 housing units meet affordability requirements for low-income residents, the CCHC plan stated.

"Jamestown's volunteer political leaders and citizens have worked very hard to provide affordable housing for local elderly and when possible, families with children. Still, the pace of high end development has outstripped their ad hoc efforts, so they have turned to Church Community Housing Corporation (CCHC), one of the state's oldest and most experienced community development corporations, for help with a plan that could escalate their efforts," the housing plan said.