HUD Buffalo Office Celebrates 45th Anniversary of Federal Fair Housing Act

HUD Buffalo Field Office Director Joan Spilman and Buffalo FHEO Director Andrij Pryshlak join together to address the Western New York community. In the background, from l-r are Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Commissioner Maria Whyte, and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2013, the Buffalo Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Division (FHEO) and the HUD's Buffalo Field Office Director, in a truly collaborative effort, celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act by inviting Western New York communities to proclaim April 2013 as Fair Housing Month. The event, co-sponsored by the Erie County Fair Housing Partnership and the Buffalo FHEO Division, was held in the first floor atrium of the Edward A. Rath Erie County Office Building.

Joan Spilman, Buffalo Field Office Director, and Andrij Pryshlak, Director FHEO Buffalo, were joined by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, the Honorable Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Scott Gehl, Executive Director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Maria Whyte, Erie County Commissioner of Environment and Planning, and Chris Jacobs, Erie County Clerk, at the head dais. Each dignitary addressed the gathered assembly and espoused the moral duty and responsibility that we all have to affirmatively further fair housing.

Proclamations from the County of Erie, the City of Buffalo and the Towns of Amherst, Hamburg and Tonawanda were received by Ms. Spilman and Mr. Pryshlak on behalf of HUD. Grace Andriette, Esq., of Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc., acted as Master of Ceremonies. FHEO staff was on hand to provide assistance and advice at a table where Fair Housing materials were distributed to all interested parties.

The highly anticipated event, attended by over 100 local government officials, advocates of fair housing and members of the community, was a wonderful opportunity for us all to renew our commitment to work to guarantee the rights for all Americans to decent, safe and fair housing. "Through our efforts and the partnerships that have evolved over time, our neighborhoods will all benefit and we will all be better for it," said Pryshiak.

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