Come June 30 to the Fair Housing Annual Highlights Conference given by the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 25, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights invites everyone who cares about efforts to rid their communities of housing discrimination to participate in a one-day conference in Louisville, Ky., on Tuesday, June 30.

For reservations, contact Mary Ann Taylor of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights at 502.566.9961. Or, email her at maryann.taylor (at) ky (dot) gov. Participants may attend one or both sessions.

At the Fair Housing Annual Highlights Conference, people will examine the progress and status of some important fair housing issues in Kentucky and will highlight efforts made this past year by the state human rights commission and others to decrease discrimination against people in the area of housing.

The commission invites the public to this free event. Commission Executive Director John J. Johnson will participate. There are two sessions, morning and afternoon. Between the two will be a lunch for all participants of either or both sessions.

The conference will be of interest to neighborhood and community representatives, human rights and fair housing advocates, college students, educators, members of the legal community, government officials, realtors and real estate agents, leasing representatives, and housing finance representatives.

It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) at the Brown Hotel 16th Floor Gallery Ballroom located at 335 West Broadway in downtown Louisville, KY, 40202.

The morning session from 9 to 11 a.m. includes a college follow-up forum concerning students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. One year ago, the commission held a fair housing forum for representatives from universities located around Kentucky. At that time, the participants talked about the provision of housing and equity in campus life for the students. Coming together a year later at this next session, college officials will talk about how they implemented the strategies they proposed last year, whether the initiatives were successful, and their future plans. Speaking will be representatives from Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, and University of Louisville.

After lunch, the second session from 1 to 4 p.m. will highlight fair housing initiatives and housing issues addressed throughout the year-long period.

The commission will share information gathered through a project with the Kentucky Legal Aid Society and that involved legal aid organizations in surrounding regions. The project was designed to gauge the use of discrimination as a legal defense in housing eviction actions when appropriate.

The commission will share highlights from education and outreach programs to decrease discrimination. Representatives will discuss ideas and facts the commission gleaned from experts participating in its various initiatives. Included will be information about fair housing for women, minorities, people who are LGBT, and people with disabilities.

The Lexington Fair Housing Council will highlight the results of disability testing it conducted in partnership with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. The test was held in 20 Kentucky counties to study the levels of potential housing discrimination against people who are disabled or have service animals.

Also discussed will be impediments to housing for disabled people such as the lack of disability-compliant housing and the lack of disability access in housing. Reviewed will be government’s efforts to help people with disabilities acquire housing through funding.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government authority that enforces laws against discrimination. For help with discrimination, contact the commission at 1.800.292.5566. For information about the commission and civil rights, visit the website at www.kchr.ky.gov

For news about civil rights and information pertaining to protected classes, visit the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Facebook and Twitter sites. Directly link to the sites from the commission website address listed above.

Contact Information: Victoria Stephens
Mrs. Stephens’s direct phone: 502.641.0760
For help with discrimination, contact commission headquarters: 1.800.292.5566