Effective communication is essential to address residents’ needs, resolve disputes, and nurture a sense of community in public housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development established public housing to serve vulnerable populations such as low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. With an increasingly diverse population speaking different languages, public housing departments must ensure that their staff command the languages skills needed to provide equitable services to all community members. Bilingualism isn’t just a skill; it’s a superpower that promotes inclusivity and strengthens relationships within public housing communities.
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Bilingualism Strengthens Relationships with The Community
Let’s look at a scenario where one sunny afternoon, in the culturally rich city of Chicago, the public housing department receives a complaint from Mrs. Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant who speaks limited English. She has been experiencing plumbing issues in her apartment for weeks but has struggled to communicate effectively due to the language barrier. The department staff, recognizing the urgency of the situation, enlists the help of Linh, a dedicated bilingual city employee fluent in both English and Vietnamese. With empathy and professionalism, Linh arranges a meeting to discuss Mrs. Nguyen’s concerns in her preferred language. Thanks to Linh’s involvement, the maintenance team promptly resolves the plumbing issues in Mrs. Nguyen’s apartment, making her feel heard and that her needs were prioritized. She expresses gratitude for Linh’s assistance and feels respected as a community member.
Also, according to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), it is prohibited for both public and private housing providers, to deny rental to non-English speakers solely for not speaking the language, as this constitutes discrimination based on national origin under the FHA. By employing a bilingual workforce capable of facilitating effective communication, public housing authorities (PHAs) can promptly address residents’ concerns, meet their needs, and facilitate housing access to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals on equal terms with native English speakers.
Enhance Communication, Improve Access, and Build Trust
A report conducted for ACTFL, “Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers,” reveals the importance of assessing language proficiency in almost every industry to better serve diverse populations and government agencies are no exception. By investing in language testing through outside reliable assessments such as those delivered by Language Testing International® (LTI), the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, Public Housing Departments can enhance communication, improve access, and build trust with residents. By relying on multilingual staff to convey housing programs and policies to all applicants regardless of their language skills, employees can help support the strengthening of vibrant and diverse communities.
LTI can deliver ACTFL language proficiency assessments tailored to the needs of Public Housing Departments. By partnering with LTI, housing authorities can identify staff members with the necessary language skills and provide targeted training to enhance proficiency where needed. This proactive approach not only improves service delivery but also promotes a more inclusive and welcoming environment for residents of all backgrounds.
Ready to elevate your employees’ language skills to the next level? LTI can be your reliable partner to conduct trusted language proficiency credentialing certified by ACTFL in over 120 languages, through reading, writing, listening, and speaking assessments. Take advantage of our remote proctoring option for convenience and flexibility—get started with LTI today!
Sources
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Lead with Languages Campaign commissioned Ipsos Public Affairs, with the support of Pearson LLC and Language Testing International. (2019). “Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers.” https://www.actfl.org/uploads/files/general/MakingLanguagesOurBusiness_FullReport.pdf
National Housing Law Project. nhlp. “Language Access.” https://www.nhlp.org/initiatives/fair-housing-housing-for-people-with-disabilities/language-access/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Questions And Answers About HUD.” https://www.hud.gov/about/qaintro
