NFHTA Forum | Choices for All Voices: Innovative Education and Outreach to Build an Equitable Future

On April 11, 2023, the nation marks the 55th Anniversary of the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act.

A significant and, unfortunately, persistent impediment to the eradication of housing discrimination is the fact that home seekers and residents often lack knowledge of fair housing laws and how to report violations. National studies have shown that at least 1 in 5 members of racial or ethnic minority groups and persons with disabilities experience discrimination. Only a small percentage of these incidents are reported.

To help bridge this gap, HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and National Fair Housing Training Academy (NFHTA), will conduct a national forum during Fair Housing Month, titled "Choices for All Voices: Innovative Education & Outreach to Build an Equitable Future." The forum will help you design and deliver education and outreach (E&O) with a focus on the actual experience of the people we serve. Expert panelists will draw upon their decades of wisdom to provide you with practical ways that FHIP and FHAP organizations can best utilize E&O efforts to enhance community understanding of fair housing compliance and enforcement. Each presenter will explore innovative strategies and creative tools and resources to more equitably and effectively reach those who have been historically underserved.

Learning Objectives

Fair housing professionals will:

• Understand the resources available through HUD and its partners that inspire community engagement and interest in fair housing
• Explore topics such as education on fair housing history, education tools for children and young adults, coverage of the Fair Housing Act, how to file a fair housing complaint, fair housing language resources, improving customer service, and meaningfully increasing community participation
• Prepare for the yearlong commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act and to amplify the themes of "Fair Housing: Choices for All Voices" and "Building an Equitable Future"
• Leverage fair housing E&O tools and resources that can be localized and customizable such as posters, ads, pro tips, quick reference sheets, etc.
• Gain understanding in order to be able to increase the general public's knowledge of the rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act

Audience

This forum is targeted to HUD-funded fair housing organizations (i.e., FHIP and FHAP professionals), fair housing partners (e.g., housing counselors, legal service providers, and civil rights advocates), and others in the housing/lending industries.

About the Forums

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Forums are online conversations designed to allow multi-directional interactions between HUD and its FHIP and FHAP partners around emerging fair housing issues regarding processing complaints, conducting investigations, and managing agencies. Topics will evolve based on partner needs and interests.

Learn More About the National Fair Housing Forums