Fair Housing Recognition

Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely addresses the Nebraska Fair Housing Summit

Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns with HUD Regional Director Macie Houston and Omaha Field Office Director Stan Quy

On the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Fair Housing Act, the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights hosted the Nebraska Fair Housing Summit. More than 250 realtors, fair housing advocates, and other housing industry representatives met on April 10 to hear a keynote presentation by Ms. Carolyn Peoples, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. HUD Regional Director Ms. Macie Houston provided opening remarks and introduced Ms. Peoples. Ms. Robbie Herndon, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Director for HUD Region VII also spoke.

"It has been HUD's job to ensure that fair and equal treatment in the housing market is central to the American way of life," Peoples said in her keynote presentation. "Under the leadership of President Bush, our national commitment to creating equal housing opportunities for all Americans is as strong today as it was when President Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law in 1968."

To show support for fair housing, Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely signed a proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month in Lincoln. He stated that "through the state's activism and vigilance in fair housing, we possess the means to ensure the right of all Americans to find that place they will call home."

As part of the day's events, Regional Director Macie Houston and Field Office Director Stan Quy met with Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns. Ms. Houston outlined some of the key initiatives and programs of the Department, with a particular emphasis on fair housing. Mr. Quy presented the Governor with the Nebraska HUD Annual Report and briefed the Governor on several state issues known to be of particular interest to the Governor. Ms. Houston also thanked the Governor for his Fair Housing Month proclamation earlier in the month and his support for the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission during the recent budget cycle when it appeared the Legislature might be eliminating all funding for the organization.