The Hinesville Community Development Department is celebrating April as Fair Housing Month to commemorate the passage of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 — the Federal Fair Housing Law — and raise awareness about fair housing.

“Hinesville is a rapidly growing city, with many housing choices. We are advocates for educating our residents, landlords, realtors, lenders and others about this law,” said Kenneth K. Howard, Hinesville’s assistant city manager and Community Development Department director.

The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in housing transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or family status. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website, more than 10,000 cases of housing discrimination are reported annually.

“The city of Hinesville supports the efforts of local agencies, nonprofits, the private sector and individuals in ensuring compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Law,” Hinesville Mayor James Thomas said after signing the 2012 Fair Housing Month proclamation for the city. “We hope everyone will join us in affirming the right for people to live where they can afford without encountering discrimination.”

Hinesville’s awareness campaign includes a public billboard sharing the fair-housing message, a mayoral proclamation signing and its annual fair housing symposium, which was scheduled for Tuesday at Club Stewart.