Wisconsin Fair Housing Network Hosts
Another Successful Conference

Regional Director Joseph Galvan, left, and Governor Jim Doyle's representative Antonio Riley, right, are shown with the statewide volunteer fair housing award winner, Brenda Konkel of Madison, WI.

Over 250 persons from around the state of Wisconsin from the housing industry, government, advocacy agencies, and the legal profession, as well as others, attended the Wisconsin Fair Housing Network (WFHN) 17th statewide Fair Housing Conference on April 3 and 4, in Waukesha. The theme of the conference was "Forward Wisconsin for Fair Housing." Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Executive Director Antonio Riley presented a fair housing proclamation on behalf of Governor Jim Doyle. HUD Regional Director Joseph Galvan joined Riley in presenting WFHN Fair Housing Awards to organizations and individuals selected from nominations solicited throughout the state.

A first day evening session entitled, "Fair Housing: You Be the Judge", co-presented by Milwaukee Office Lead EOS Dan Stotmeister and a representative from the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division and the Metro Milwaukee Fair Housing Council. Using real cases, the panel took participants through the fair housing investigation process.

The second included 5 separate sessions and a luncheon. Featured were presentations by three nationally recognized experts on fair housing. Attorney Michael Allen from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, D.C. spoke on 'Land Use and Affordable Housing'. Professor Gregory Squires from George Washington University spoke on 'Organizing & Advocacy: The Changing Face of Financial Services'. Attorney John Relman, Relman & Associates, Washington, D.C., presented the session on 'Legal Update and Enforcement Issues in Fair Housing'. In addition, a team of four presenters from Chicago led a session entitled 'Attacking Predatory Lending in Chicago - A Community in Action'.

The conference concluded with the 'All-Presenters Panel on Wisconsin Issues', moderated by William Tisdale, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council. The presenters from the earlier sessions shared their suggestions and recommendations on how the fair housing challenges facing Wisconsin can be effectively addressed.