HUD PARTNERS WITH ASIAN REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA TO COMBAT HOUSING AND LENDING DISCRIMINATION
Meeting set to hear from community leaders and members

LOS ANGELES - In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John Trasvina and John Fukuda, Chairman of the Asian
Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) will sign a partnership agreement to address housing and lending discrimination facing Asian and Pacific Islanders. Following the signing ceremony, HUD will host a meeting to hear
from Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders and members about current housing issues in the community.

The rate of housing discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is comparable to that experienced
by other groups, according to HUD's Housing Discrimination Studies. Yet, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for only 1% of HUD's Fair Housing complaints. The partnership agreement is designed to educate Asian American and Pacific Islander community members and the housing industry about rights and responsibilities under
the law and improve HUD's capacity to prevent discrimination, enforce the law and serve this growing community.

WHAT: Memorandum of Understanding Signing between HUD and Asian Real Estate Association of America followed
by AAPI Community meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: HUD Offices, 611 West Sixth Street, Conference Room 813, Los Angeles, CA 90017

WHO: HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John Trasviña

         John Fukuda, Chairman, Asian Real Estate Association of America

         Ophelia Basgal, Regional Director, HUD Region IX

Contact: Ana Gutierrez or phone (213) 534-2594

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.