Get on the Bus Historical Tour of Owensboro, Kentucky

A Celebration of the 48th Anniversary of the National Fair Housing Act of 1968

Written by: Deborah Knight

In commemoration of Fair Housing Month, the city of Owensboro hosted Kentucky's annual Get on the Bus guided tour to see and hear about the history of the community and the effects of racial segregation throughout the years. "The theme for this year's Fair Housing Month commemoration is 'Shared Opportunity in Every Community,' which reflects the importance of every person in America having access to the same housing choices and economic possibilities," said HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Christopher Taylor, who provide opening remarks for the event that included over 50 participants.

The bus tour guides were historians and local residents whose families had lived in Owensboro for generations. Each described what life was like during segregation and how the city has changed for African Americans since pre-Civil War times. The tour theme was Navigating Owensboro's Segregation Through Its Neighborhoods.

Other speakers included former Mayor C. Waitman Taylor, Jr., Karen Quinn who is the Deputy General Counsel of Kentucky Housing Corporation, and Kathy Peters, Executive Director of the Kentucky Housing Corporation, Richard Brown of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Judge/Executive Al Mattingly, Mayor Ron Payne, Shauna Boom, Director of the Housing Authority of Owensboro, and David Condon who is the former Director of the Housing Authority of Owensboro, and Virginia Brasswell of the Habitat for Humanity.

The event was made possible by the Lexington Fair Housing Council, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, the City of Owensboro, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, the Housing Authority of Owensboro, and Habitat for Humanity.

Anyone who believes that his/her fair housing rights have been violated can file a complaint by calling 1 (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing and through our fair housing mobile applications for iPhone, iPad, and android smart phone users.

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