Editorial: A roundabout system

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003 | 8:59 a.m.

While the numbers are not yet overwhelming, complaints about housing discrimination are on the rise in Nevada. There were 58 complaints in fiscal year 2001, 61 in 2002 and 85 in the current fiscal year, which ended Tuesday. Each complaint can involve one person, a couple or a whole family, meaning hundreds of people are affected. The steady rise in complaints points to a need that is not being addressed.

Nevada is one of only 12 states that does not partner with the Housing and Urban Development Department in resolving such complaints. For Nevadans, this means that they must file their complaints with the nearest full-service HUD office, which is in San Francisco. This is an impersonal and time-consuming method that possibly dissuades many people from filing.

We agree with Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, who for years has supported additional funding for the Nevada Equal Rights Commission so that it can partner with HUD and take on housing discrimination complaints. Our state residents deserve better service when it comes to reporting suspected discrimination. The 2005 Legislature should provide the funding, especially if the complaints continue to rise.