April 21, 2021

Celebrate Fair Housing Month with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is hosting a free virtual Fair Housing Forum with many exciting sessions across April 27 and 28. Be sure to follow the registration links below to save your spot for any and all sessions you wish to join! This Forum is a partnership between the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) made possible by HUD's generous partnership grant.​ Tuesday, April 27, 2021 “Fair Housing Legal Update” 10am to 1pm Presented by Glendora C. Hughes, MCCR General Counsel Register at mccr.events/FairHousingForum1 The COVID- 19 pandemic has created severe housing related issues across the nation. Housing insecurity has increased exponentially and related issues such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, and bias are widespread. This interactive workshop will provide participants with information on legal protections and updates regarding impediments to fair housing as a result of the pandemic. “Institutional Anti-Blackness and Housing Discrimination” 2pm to 4pm Presented by Tiffany Lanoix, MA Register at mccr.events/FairHousingForum2 In this two hour forum participants will learn about the ways that anti-blackness has been and continues to be institutionalized, specifically in the realm of housing. The initial presentation will last about 45 minutes followed by a 1 hour and 5 minute guided forum. This will include a 10 minute break in between. The following topics will be addressed during the presentation and the guided forum: Anti-blackness & Anti-racism How anti-blackness is institutionalized History of anti-blackness in housing Contemporary issues of anti-blackness in housing How anti-racism can be used as a tool to combat anti-blackness in housing Western Maryland Regional Fair Housing Forum 6pm to 8pm Moderated by MCCR's Western Maryland Advisory Council Register at mccr.events/FairHousingForum3 This event brings together stakeholders in the Western Maryland Region from local nonprofits, fair housing agencies, property management companies, state and local governments, and other industry leaders for a panelist driven, facilitated focus groups to address barriers to fair Housing in Maryland.​ Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Maryland Fair Housing Roundtable 10am to 1pm Opening Remarks by Melody Taylor, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Moderated by Cecilia Assam, MCCR Civil Rights Officer Register at mccr.events/FairHousingForum4 This webinar style forum will bring stakeholders together to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the state of fair housing in Maryland. Panelists from a wide variety of public, private and nonprofit entities specializing in fair housing enforcement, legal representation, advocacy, landlord/tenant affairs, government, property management and community relations will convene to: Provide insight and awareness to fellow stakeholders on issues that impact he work of all sectors. Engage in candid conversations about cross-sector challenges, difference and working relationships. Develop strategies for working collectively to promote fairness, inclusion and equality. “Structural Racism in Housing: A Closer Look at Prince George’s County” 2pm to 4pm Presented by Kris Marsh, Ph.D. Register at mccr.events/FairHousingForum5 This virtual housing forum will include three main approaches to understanding structural racism in housing: Lecture, interactive exercises, and discussions to establish understandings of structural racism in the housing market and the broader impact on life chances, inequality, and injustice; Review current quantitative and qualitative social science literature on housing discrimination and related outcomes with an emphasis in Prince George's County; and Discuss ways to overcome and promote fair housing for all. The virtual fair housing forum will include the following topics: What the social science literature has to say on structural racism and housing discrimination Understanding diverse populations, structural racism and housing opportunities/outcome How structural racism and discrimination impact housing opportunities and long term consequences/outcomes How Prince George's County is an ideal case study for fair housing The learning objectives for the virtual fair housing forum will include: Participants will learn the definition of structural racism and its related concepts (focus on housing) Participants will be able to identify the current and long-term consequences of housing discrimination Participants will understand how structural racism in housing is measured, formed, and current literature in the topic. Participants will develop strategies to overcome structural racism and promote fair housing for all Participants will discover why Prince George's County is a unique case for understanding issues of structural racism and fair housing

BONUS EVENT - Know Your Rights: Fair Housing Act Thursday, April 22, 2021 (TOMORROW!) 7pm to 8pm Register at https://www.bcpl.info/events-and-programs/list.html#!/188891 Fair housing is the right of all people to buy, sell or rent residential property and to live where they choose. In this workshop, learn about the Fair Housing Act, which provides protection under the law against housing discrimination to all Marylanders, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, familial or marital status, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. This event is free and open to the public. Presented by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights in partnership with the Baltimore County Public Library. Registration closes one hour before the start of the program. A valid email address is needed at registration to send a Zoom link to the program 30 minutes before scheduled start.

Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships

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