HUD LAUNCHES FAIR HOUSING EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP WITH RIO HONDO COLLEGE
National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership will train students interested in civil rights careers

WHITTIER, CA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary John Trasviña today established a new National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership with Rio Hondo College (RHC) and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The new HUD-RHC-DFEH partnership, the first ever with a community college, will educate students about fair housing laws and equip them with skills for public service and civil rights careers. DFEH Director Phyllis W. Cheng and RHC President Ted Martinez, Jr., Ph.D. joined Assistant Secretary Trasviña to kick off HUD's new education program during a housing resource fair, and proclamation signing at the college.

"Community colleges are a key partner as we reach out to new entrants into the rental and future homeowner communities, particularly in communities protected by the Fair Housing Act," said John Trasviña, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Our partnership with Rio Hondo College benefits students, the community and their futures."

"The Rio Hondo College community is proud to have been selected as the first community college in the nation to join this prestigious partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development," said Ted Martinez, Jr., Ph.D. Superintendent/President of RHC. "On behalf of our Board of Trustees, it is a pleasure to welcome Assistant Secretary John Trasviña to our campus to celebrate the signing of a proclamation to symbolize our commitment to
this new partnership. Rio Hondo College students, and our communities, will benefit from new opportunities as we educate new generations of fair housing advocates."

DFEH Director Phyllis W. Cheng added: "The Department of Fair Employment and Housing is delighted to partner with HUD to encourage students at Rio Hondo College to pursue careers that would ensure equal housing opportunity for
all Californians. These students will be the leaders of the future."

This partnership is designed to promote fair housing and educate students about their rights under the federal Fair Housing Act and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, families with children, or disability.

In addition, RHC, the first community college in the nation to join in the partnership to sign a proclamation, will develop internships, classroom work, fair housing training, and community service opportunities with the DFEH and local fair housing groups and encourage students to consider public service as a career. Today's proclamation follows existing HUD partnerships with Tennessee State University, Clark Atlanta University and Kentucky State University.

HUD investigates over 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1 (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available online. Stay on top of the most up-to-date news regarding the Fair Housing Act by signing up for the FHEO RSS Feed website.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.