(Washington, DC) In celebration of Fair Housing Month, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has partnered with the DC Housing Finance Agency, the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR), and the DC Housing Authority to present the Sixth Annual Fair Housing Symposium. This free event will be held on April 10, 2007, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at the Housing Finance Agency, located at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>815 Florida Avenue, NW.
This year’s theme is “Disparate Impact in Fair Housing, Where Displacement Matters!!” The one-day symposium will address “hot topics” affecting district residents. Come learn, refresh, or simply update your knowledge and awareness about fair housing, obtain answers to frequently asked questions on housing accessibility, and identify the proper steps when converting a building from rental to an owner-occupied multi-family building. This symposium will also provide consumer education materials on the Fair Housing Act and its protections as renters and/or prospective homeowners.
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the agency directors will provide Symposium remarks, and the Chief of the City’s Office of Tenant Advocacy, Johanna Shreve, will open the day’s activities expanding on the event’s theme. The event will be presented in two sessions with the following activities:
SESSION ONE:
PANEL 1: The State of Fair Housing in DC
Housing experts will provide an overview of the basic understanding of discrimination and remedies related to fair housing; will discuss the types of housing cases filed at the Office of Human Rights (OHR) and share typical discriminatory tactics seen in the housing industry and its impact on District residents.
PANEL 2: From Rental to Ownership - When They Say NO!
Panelists will explain the RED FLAGS one must be aware of as a RENTER, particularly discrimination based on familial status, source of income, and gender issues, as well as discuss the process of homeownership and how to identify fair housing red flags.
SPEAKER: Condo Conversions and Disparate Impact - A Real Case of Displacement
Experts will explain the process of condo conversions, a mechanism used by real estate developers to convert apartment buildings into condominiums, and how the process can sometimes create a disparate impact on a community— thereby creating fair housing implications. The session will examine a real-life case of the displacement and remedies for tenants in the District of Columbia.
SESSION TWO:
PANEL 1: Fair Housing and Section 504- Compatible or Incompatible
The Panelists will provide the audience key information on the similarities of these two laws and its protection of person with disabilities; however, there are specific differences when each law is applicable and why they can not be interchanged. More importantly, non-adherence of Section 504 could lead to fair housing violations if not properly implemented by property management, developers, and the tenant.
SPEAKER: Fair Housing Makes Good Business Sense- Successful Conversions
The invited speaker will explain the condo/coop conversion process and how persons of low and moderate income have achieved homeownership. The speaker will also detail the proper action for tenants to enforce their First Right of Refusal for making the conversion from tenants to homeowners a success.
The Symposium is designed for:
- Concerned Citizens
- Tenants & Tenant Associations
- Landlords & Management Companies
Developers & Housing Industry Practitioners - Faith-Based and Civic Organizations
- Community-Based Organizations & Community Development Corporations
You must register to attend. Registrations will close once maximum capacity is reached. For more information on registration, call (202) 645-5634 or select the link below to register online. Please state if you need any special accommodations.
SPACE IS LIMITED – REGISTER EARLY
For more information on fair housing rights, select OHR’s Fair Housing Resources page below.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>