OXNARD : Report Cites Bias in Hispanic Housing

Hispanics are being discriminated against in their search for rental housing in Oxnard, according to a report authorized by the city.

The report, which comes up for hearing April 20, contends that despite the small sampling of rental units, “clear evidence of substantial discrimination” exists.

“I was set back,” Oxnard Councilman Bedford Pinkard said. “This is 1993. We went through the same thing in 1963. I’m surprised we have not advanced too far.”

But Pinkard said he suspects that discrimination in Oxnard was probably less than in other areas of the county because the city, with its high minority population, is likely to be more tolerant.

Last year, the City Council hired a consortium led by Metropolitan Planning Associates of Los Angeles to assess housing practices--a requirement for cities receiving federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

The 62-page report is the first phase of the $32,000 contract the city has with the consortium. The second report will provide recommendations for the city.

As part of the study, a team of three Hispanics, two African-Americans and two Anglos were dispatched in October to 15 sites where apartment vacancies had been advertised.

Hispanics and single mothers received unfavorable treatment at least half the time, the report says, while no evidence of discrimination against African-Americans was found.

The study also used the team to look at whether real estate agents were steering prospective minority home buyers to communities with high proportions of minorities.

There wasn’t any direct evidence of this, the report states, but some agents made negative remarks about Hispanics and different communities, such as La Colonia and south Oxnard.

“I think it’s rare,” said Oxnard Board of Realtors President Cathy Mims, who questioned the small sampling. “I don’t believe conscientious realtors are making those comments. We know it’s against the law.”

The report also provided statistical data. Of the city’s population, 54.5% are Hispanic and 4.8% are African-American. Oxnard makes up 21% of the county’s population, but it is home to 43% of the county’s Hispanics and 48% of its African-Americans.

The report also concludes that Oxnard is providing housing for low-income workers employed in surrounding cities and that the city has more federally subsidized Section 8 housing units than any other city.

Karl Lawson of the city housing department said the report confirms something city officials have long believed: Oxnard is meeting the housing needs of other cities.