1.2.3 Whats Happening



What's Happening On Wednesday, May 21, the FHCGB celbrated our 10^th Anniversary, also commemorating 40 years of the Federal Fair Housing Act. The event was a special opportunity to highlight the progress we’ve made in the 40 years since the Fair Housing Act became law, along with the very real challenges still before us to address discrimination and segregation. We were honored to have Governor Patrick, himself a Charter Member of theFair Housing Center, address the crowd of more than 125 housing and civil rights advocates, community activists, business leaders, and government officials. Governor Patrick used this opportunity to announce his appointment of Ron Marlow to the newly created position of Assistant Secretary of Access and Opportunity. Having advocated for its creation since the Governor was elected, we are pleased with this appointment and will work with this effort to ensure that state policies advance civil rights and housing choice. Wish to donate online? Click here for Wainwright Bank's Secure site. Commemorating the Fair Housing Act On Friday, April 11th, FHCGB Executive Director Ginny Hamilton participated in a press conference highlighting the 40th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act. Other participants were Congressman Barney Frank, Shanna Smith of the National Fair Housing Alliance, and Adrianne, a woman who we are helping file a discrimination complaint. Read Ginny's statement to the press. Read Adrianne's statement to the press. The National Fair Housing Alliance recently released its 2008 Fair Housing Trends Report entitled Dr. King’s Dream Denied—40 years of Failed Federal Enforcement, which documents how communities remain segregated and discrimination continues 40 years after this landmark civil rights legislation was passed. The report, which catalogues widespread under-enforcement of federal fair housing and lending laws, highlights the link between the lack of fair housing enforcement, segregated neighborhoods and our current foreclosure crisis. Justin Massa, a colleague inChicago, blogs on fair housing. His entry today eloquently describes how shamefully little has changed in the past 40 years. Substitute Boston for Chicago in his piece – the trends are similar – and it could have been written by yours truly. I encourage you to read his thoughts and share your own. Earlier this week, the US Senate passed a resolution commemorating the Fair Housing Act's passage. Read Senate Resolution 503 honoring this milestone, sponsored by Senator Kennedy. Fair Housing Toolkits Fair Housing Education Day April 15. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity has prepared materials for use in elementary school classrooms. Contact us for a complete kit, including introductory letter to the school, powerpoint presentation, fair housing themed puzzles and games. Looking for fair housing tools aimed at an adult audience? The FHCGB has a Fair Housing Toolkit for use in community organizations and faith based outreach. Email info@bostonfairhousing.org to request your copy! About the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston Founded in 1998, the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston is the only comprehensive fair housing organization working to eliminate housing discrimination and promote open communities throughout the region. The FHCGB pursues its mission in Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex and Plymouth counties through offering a full tool kit of fair housing services: Testing, Case Advocacy, Training, Community Outreach, Policy Advocacy, and Research. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, foundation and corporate donors, and individual supporters, the FHCGB works to break the silence surrounding housing discrimination, to offer recourse to people harmed by discrimination, and educate and inform housing professionals and residents of their rights and responsibilities. Updated July 7 , 2008