Hess said his office has handled two complaints of discrimination in the last year. Hess said one case dealt with gender and the other with gender, national origin and race. Both cases involved discrimination in obtaining rental housing. Hess's office investigated the cases but neither resulted in court actions, he said. Hess said the ordinance may be cutting down on the number of landlords who might discriminate.
People are aware of what's what with respect to fair housing.
Hess said the planning department wrote the ordinance and is the most familiar with it. The department is involved with all the complaints that fall under the ordinance. Hess said he does not know if less discrimination exists after the enactment of the ordinance. Holly Bemiss, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance political co-director, said the passage of the ordinance was important because discrimination was made illegal. Bemiss said she has not heard of any blatant discrimination.