Finding aid for the Athens Citizens for Fair Housing Collection

History of Athens Citizens for Fair Housing

Athens Citizens for Fair Housing was an organized group of individuals concerned with the equal housing rights for all persons in Athens regardless of race, religion, or country of national origin. A prime motivating factor in the organization of the Athens Citizens for Fair Housing was the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 1968. They wished to carry on the spirit of his work locally by working against discriminatory housing practices in the Athens community. The group was instrumental in the passage of the Fair Housing Ordinance in Athens (Ordinance #0869) in Spring 1969, which established the city's Human Relations Commission.

Scope and Content

The Athens Citizens for Fair Housing Collection contains one box with 13 file folders. The collection contains records of the organization and related information retained by member Lois Whealey. These materials include minutes of meetings, membership information, newsletters, and newspaper clippings about the group and ordinance as well background information on state laws and state and national housing efforts of the period.

Statement of Arrangement

Subject Terms

The following terms have been used to describe this collection.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite collection name, collection number, and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio in all footnotes and bibliographical references.

Other Finding Aid

A paper copy of the folder list is available.