The Wisconsin Fair Housing Network presented a Special Service Award to Milwaukee Equal Opportunity Specialist Sandra Rubin on April 15, 2005. Ms. Rubin has been a fair housing professional for more than 25 years, advancing the cause of equal housing opportunity through a variety of roles. She has served the Wisconsin Fair Housing Network since its inception in 1983 as a conference planner and presenter and recording secretary. She administers the statewide fair housing awards program and the statewide fair housing poster and essay contest, the latter helping to bring the fair housing message and understanding to literally thousands of school-age children throughout Wisconsin. A recognized expert on the rights of persons with a disability, Ms. Rubin also ensures that translation services and accessibility needs are provided for hearing impaired and physically disabled conferees, respectively.

As an Equal Opportunity Specialist for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Sandra Rubin has trained, educated and provided technical assistance on fair housing to many communities, housing authorities, real estate practitioners and thousands of consumers during her career. Ms. Rubin has been a key contributor to many successful collaborations involving fair housing councils, Independent Living Centers, and the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy, to name a few. Known for thoroughness in all of her endeavors, she has investigated numerous housing discrimination complaints filed under federal law and helped achieve resolution in many cases based upon her expertise and sensitivity to the positions of all parties.

The Wisconsin Fair Housing Network is a coalition of individuals and representatives of public and private organizations and agencies dedicated to the education and promotion of fair housing throughout the state. The 2005 Fair Housing Awards were presented at the statewide Fair Housing Conference on April 15, 2005, at the Kalahari Resort Convention Center, Lake Delton, WI. Altogether, five awards were given out under specific categories, including three Special Service Awards presented to Ms. Rubin and two other individuals who have made special contributions to furthering fair housing and eliminating housing discrimination in Wisconsin.