Heights Libraries and HCC present April 28 fair housing program

On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Popularly known as the Fair Housing Act, it prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and gender.

On April 28, at 7 p.m., Heights Libraries is partnering with Heights Community Congress (HCC) to celebrate fair housing month with program that will examine the current state of fair housing. The program will take place at the Lee Road Library, 2345 Lee Road.

The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged (call 216-321-6775).

A panel of three local fair housing experts will present an interactive program designed to educate the community. The panelists are Henry Stoudermire Jr., a realtor with McMullen Realty; Michael Lisman, a financial empowerment coach with 20 years in workforce development; and Barbara Anderson, executive director of Another Chance of Ohio, who is also employed by the City of Cleveland Office of Fair Housing and Community Affairs. Tameka Taylor of Compass Consulting Services will facilitate the “World Café” format discussion.

Topics will include economic impacts of “defacto” segregation on democracy, couples trying to purchase a home when experiencing financing difficulties, and how changes at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2017 may affect our community.

Martha Goble, executive director of HCC, said, "With all the changes going on at HUD it is important for people in Cleveland Heights to pay attention to fair housing because of the effect on community life."

Suzanne Nigro, who serves on the HCC Board of Trustees, said, “This is important to every resident of Cleveland Heights and Northeast Ohio.”

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 has had a significant impact on housing in Cleveland Heights for more than 40 years. HCC has used the tenants of this federal law to ensure that anyone seeking housing in Northeast Ohio has equal opportunity, and has sponsored fair housing programs during April for the past several years.

“Heights Libraries is grateful for partnerships like this that give important community partners like the HCC a venue in which to celebrate their long history in our community, and to provide our residents with enriching educational programs,” said Sheryl Banks, Heights Libraries communications manager.

Kara Whaley

Kara Whaley is the communications coordinator at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library System.

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Volume 10, Issue 4, Posted 5:51 PM, 03.30.2017