Details and procedural hurdles remain to be worked through, but there may be a meeting of the minds, collaboration-wise, between two of the Arlington government’s advisory commissions.
The Housing Commission and Human Rights Commission are attempting to work out kinks in the creation of a joint subcommittee that would focus on fair-housing issues.
“Both commissions could benefit,” Human Rights Commission member Fatima Argun said at a recent meeting. “I’d like to hear more.”
Housing Commission chairman Kellen MacBeth broached the proposal several months ago. Its creation likely would require authorization by the County Board.
The proposal represents “a good idea,” said Human Rights Commission member Roland Watkins.
“My question would be exactly how [MacBeth] wants it to operate,” Watkins said.
The Human Rights Commission extended an invitation to MacBeth to attend an upcoming meeting and flesh out the proposal.
“Sounds like there is general interest,” said Bill Rice, who chairs the human-rights panel. But at the same time, he said there would need to be a commitment on both sides to have active participation.
“We have to have people being interested,” Rice said.
