National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership will train students interested in civil rights careers
LOUISVILLE, KY – October 14, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary John Trasviña today announced a new National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership with Kentucky State University (KSU) at Frankfort. The new HUD-KSU partnership announced today will help develop an innovative curriculum at a historically black university designed to train a new generation of students interested in pursuing careers in civil rights and fair housing. Trasviña joined prominent leaders and KSU President Dr. Mary Evan Sias to kick off HUD’s new education program during the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights 50th Anniversary Civil and Human Rights Conference in Louisville.
“Today’s college students are tomorrow’s leaders, workers and teachers,” stated Trasviña, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Through this partnership, KSU and HUD are committed to ensuring that every door is open to our next generation of renters and homebuyers. We will accomplish this through education and vigorously enforcing the law.”
John Johnson, The Executive Director of Kentucky Commission on Human rights added: “The partnership between HUD and Kentucky State University will go a long way to foster in the next generation a new passion for upholding and pursuing the promise of equality in our nation. The commission is proud to provide the opportunity for these two great entities to launch this important program at the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights 50th Anniversary Civil and Human Rights Conference, which will be the largest of its kind in Kentucky history.”
This partnership is designed to promote fair housing and educate students about their rights under the Fair Housing Act which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, families with children, or disability.
In addition, campuses will develop service-learning opportunities with local fair housing groups and encourage students to consider public service as a career. HUD has signed proclamations with Tennessee State University and Clark Atlanta University and is in discussions with other schools and community colleges across the country.
“Kentucky State University is proud to partner with HUD to empower KSU students and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Dr. Sias, KSU President. “Ensuring that all of our citizens have access to housing is especially vital in this economy, when people need assistance now more than ever.
This partnership, and the program we are developing will foster awareness of the issues and prepare our students to become informed advocates. It also fulfills KSU’s mission of proactively engaging the community in partnerships that positively impact the lives of Kentucky citizens.”
“We are looking forward to this opportunity to work with students and the staff at Kentucky State University,” said Art Crosby, Executive Director of The Lexington Fair Housing Council. “They have been a tremendous partner in the past, and Dr. Sias has shown tremendous commitment to the fair housing cause.”
HUD investigates over 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 (voice), 800-927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Stay on top of the most up-to-date news regarding the Fair Housing Act by signing up for the FHEO RSS Feed at www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm.
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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.
Contact:
Shantae Goodloe
(202) 708-0685
