HUD TO HOLD NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING POLICY CONFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS
Conference theme reflects "time to act" against housing discrimination and for open, sustainable communities

WASHINGTON - Demonstrating the urgency to end housing discrimination, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that it will hold a national fair housing conference in New Orleans, starting Monday, July 19. The five-day conference will feature leading scholars, advocates, government officials, and community leaders focused on providing equal housing opportunities, increasing economic opportunities for low-income individuals, and meeting the needs of persons with disabilities.

Other topics to be discussed will include lending discrimination, combating housing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, and creating affordable housing opportunities for residents of New Orleans still rebuilding their lives five years after Hurricane Katrina.

The biennial conference is the first one of the Obama Administration and the ninth in HUD's history. It will take place July 19-23 at the New Orleans Marriott. The theme of the conference, "Fair Housing 2010: Time to Act," reflects the Department's recognition of the urgent need to foster communities where everyone has equal access to housing, transportation, education, and economic opportunities.

"We're making tremendous progress in fair housing but discrimination persists, often in new forms," stated John Trasviña, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "This year's theme, 'Fair Housing 2010: Time to Act,' highlights the urgency to building inclusive, diverse, and sustainable communities, free from discrimination."

HUD is hosting this year's conference in partnership with the National Fair Housing Alliance and the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies and, will feature presentations by fair housing policy experts, attorneys, academicians, and housing advocates on timely issues facing people across the nation. In addition, session and workshop attendees will discuss cutting-edge approaches to solving some of today's most challenging fair housing issues, share individual experiences and best practices, and strengthen partnerships.

Persons interested in attending the free conference, may register on site for one session or for multiple sessions and days. For additional information about the conference, log onto the conference Web site: www.edjassociates.com.

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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.