Human Interest

July, 28, 2008 - 11:13 AM / ET

National Fair Housing Commission to Focus on Gulf Coast Housing Crisis in the Wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
National Commission Co-Chaired by Former HUD Secretaries to Hold Second of Multi-City Hearings to Investigate Housing Discrimination During National Bar Association's Annual Convention in Houston

HOUSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- On Thursday, July 31, 2008, Gordan Quan, former Houston Mayor Pro Tem and Chair of the Housing Committee for the City of Houston, and Okianer Christian Dark, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, Howard University School of Law, will lead the second leg of a five-city investigation on the state of fair housing in America, with a focus on the post-Katrina and Rita housing crisis in the Gulf Coast. Local and regional housing experts and advocates, as well as victims of housing discrimination are expected to testify at the hearing.

The commission, co-chaired by former Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretaries Jack Kemp and Henry Cisneros began its cross-country investigation into the alarming state of U.S. housing on July 15 in Chicago with a focus on the subprime housing debacle. The commission is being hosted by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL), the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCR/EF), the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA). The findings and recommendations of the commission will be released in a December report.

The hearing will be held during the National Bar Association's 83rd Annual Convention.

WHAT: National Fair Housing Commission Field Hearing in Houston to Investigate Issues of Fair Housing Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

WHO: - Commissioners: Gordon Quan, Former Mayor Pro Tem and Chair of the Housing Committee for the City of Houston; Okianer Christian Dark, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, Howard University School of Law

- Guest Commissioners: Charles McMillan, President-Elect, National Association of Realtors (NAR); Rep. Al Green (D-Tex.) (invited)

- Moderators: Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director, LCCRUL; John Payton, President and Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund

- Local and Regional Housing Experts, Advocates and Victims of Housing Discrimination

WHEN: Thursday, July 31, 2008, 2-5 p.m.

WHERE: Westin Oaks Hotel, 5011 Westheimer at Post Oak, Continental Room (3rd Level), Houston, Texas







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