April 23-24, 2009 | Italian Conference Center, Milwaukee
Conference Overview:
REALTORS® are taught that fair housing means providing each and every person equal access to housing. Fair housing is “Equal Housing Opportunity.” But what does this really mean? Is fair housing simply a set of laws, or is it a way of thinking and behaving that is intertwined with the fundamental American principles of freedom and opportunity? OR – Is it just good business?
Thursday, April 23rd:
6:00 - 7:00 pm | Free Picnic Supper
7:00 - 8:30 pm | “You Be The Judge”
A free, open-to-the-public session presented by experienced investigators. This interactive workshop is based on real cases. The session will take participants through the fair housing investigation process as a way of learning about the law, how it works, what does and doesn’t constitute discrimination and housing providers and consumers rights and responsibilities.
Presenters: Margaret Bowitz, Director of Case Management & Training Services, Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council; Johnny Kimble (retired) State of WI - Equal Rights Division
Friday, April 24th:
8:45 - 9:15 am | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mayor Tom Barrett City of Milwaukee Proclamations WFHN Co-Chairs Jean Lamers & Larry Gleasman
9:20 - 10:05 am | Wisconsin’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program
HUD’s new Neighborhood Stabilization Program provides nearly $4 billion in emergency assistance to state and local governments to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities. The NSP Program also seeks to prevent future foreclosures by requiring housing counseling for families receiving homebuyer assistance under this program and to obtain a mortgage loan from a lender who agrees to comply with sound lending practices. Learn how and why these funds are being put to use in Wisconsin in hard-hit areas, over an 18 month time frame.
Presenters: Marty Evanson, Director of Bureau of Supportive Housing, State of Wisconsin; Geoff Cooper, Director of Single Family Housing, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority; Steve Mahan, Director of Community Development Grants Administration, City of Milwaukee.
10:10 - 11: 00 am | Mobility and Choice
Bringing communities and actors together to provide access to affordable rental housing for lower income populations on an equal opportunity basis will be discussed to ensure that more can benefit from the various opportunities that may arise in dealing with the nation’s economic crisis in housing.
Presenters: Diane L. Houk, Esq., Executive Director, Fair Housing Justice Center, New York City; Maurice McGough, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Chicago Center Director, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.
11:10 - 11:40 am | Segregation and the Subprime Lending Crisis
New research has examined the effect of racial segregation on the proportion of su bprime loans originated at the metropolitan level. Learn about this research and what policies should be addressed, as a result, in dealing with record-level foreclosure rates and other social costs.
Presenter: Gregory D. Squires, Professor of Sociology, and Public Policy and Public Administration, George Washington University.
11:45 am - 12:20 pm | Implications of the Foreclosure Crisis on Credit Markets
A discussion of the current foreclosure crisis and its impact on housing and community development for years to come - particularly as it relates to lower-income and minority families and communities- will be discussed, along with policy recommendations, by one of the nation’s foremost housing experts.
Presenter: Jim Carr, Chief Operating Officer, National Community Reinvestment Coalition.
12:30 - 3:00 pm | Lunch Program
Invocation, Feature Presentation and Fair Housing Awards
Hotel Information
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