For Immediate Release

CONTACT:
Stephanie Franklin, Director of Policy and Communications, DC Office of Human Rights,
stephanie.franklin@dc.gov
Robyn Wilkes, Public Affairs Specialist, Department of Housing and Community Development, robyn.wilkes@dc.gov
Alexis L.  Squire, Sr. Manager of External Affairs, Equal Rights Center
asquire@equalrightscenter.org

WASHINGTON, DC – To raise awareness about fair housing rights, responsibilities and resources, District government agencies, along with local housing organizations, will hold an annual symposium on Monday, April 24, 2017 from 3 pm to 8 pm at the UDC Student Center, in celebration of National Fair Housing Month. The symposium—hosted by DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Equal Rights Center (ERC), DC Office of Human Rights (OHR), DC Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), and 2017 partner, Housing Counseling Services (HCS) – is open to renters, community advocates, housing providers, policymakers, and other members of the public and media interested in understanding the present landscape of fair housing in the District.

This year’s theme, “Transformative Integration: Changing Times in Fair Housing,” will focus on how community stakeholders might transcend the political gridlock and move toward integration in housing.   Sheryll Cashin, former White House advisor on urban and economic policy, Professor of Law at Georgetown University and award winning author of “Place Not Race,” will discuss the toll of segregation within urban communities and our democracy. “Know Your Rights” workshops, designed to provide information to various stakeholders about important housing issues, are also part of the Symposium’s agenda.

This event is free to the public. Members of the public interested in attending can RSVP (optional) online at https://2017fhsymposium.eventbrite.com

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

DOORS OPEN AT 3PM

3PM – 8PM

Grand Ballroom at the UDC Student Center

(right next to the Van Ness Metro)

4200 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington, DC 20008

3:30PM – 5PM

Welcoming remarks from agency heads

Keynote address by Sheryll Cashin,

Professor at Georgetown Law

5PM – 6PM

Light reception

6PM – 8PM

Free workshops for advocates, tenants, and housing providers/developers

Know Your Rights Workshops

6PM-7PM:

IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME HERE!

Learn about common cases of housing discrimination that immigrants might experience, protections against it, how to respond, and who can help if it happens.

ASSESSMENT OF FAIR HOUSING: A TOOL TO PROMOTE MORE EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

The Fair Housing Act requires recipients of HUD funding like the District to reduce barriers to fair housing by affirmatively promoting fair housing and equal opportunity. Learn how you can be involved in making those efforts a success.

7PM-8PM:

WHETHER YOU CAN PAY, NOT HOW YOU PAY:

In the District, housing discrimination based on how you pay your rent (as long as it’s legal) is prohibited. Learn about common forms of source of income discrimination in housing, how to respond and who can help if you experience it.

HOUSING SEARCH WORKSHOP:

Learn about the District’s housing and financial assistance programs, housing search tools, and how to identify then report unfair discrimination.

If you need a reasonable accommodation or interpretation, please contact teresa.rainey@dc.gov or 202-727-5343 by April 14th.

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