Featuring Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Nandinee K. Kutty

Dr. Kutty spoke about the value of integration, the imperative for equality and the cost of segregation to our communities in the context of growing economic inequalities and other challenges facing us today. According to Segregation: The Rising Costs for America, a book co-edited by Dr. Kutty, “Good jobs, quality education, decent affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, comprehensive health care, access to mainstream financial services and a reliable social safety network are keys to upward economic and social mobility.” Dr. Kutty asserts that fair housing and integration help ensure that these opportunities are available to everyone, thereby strengthening the fabric our community. Dr. Kutty is an economist and policy consultant in the area of housing and economic policy. Her areas of specialization include fair housing, economic mobility, impact of housing-related factors on family well-being, Social Security, housing for the elderly, and macroeconomic stabilization. She was a professor at Cornell University and has a Ph.D. in economics from Syracuse University.

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THE WORKSHOPS: 8:45 – 11:45 a.m.
FORECLOSURE IN OUR HEIGHBORHOODS: A REVITALIZING COMMUNITY RESPONSE
Each day, ten families lose their homes to foreclosure in Kent County; nearly 2,000 residential foreclosures occurred in Kent County alone in the first six months of 2008. This workshop will explore the causes and realities of the foreclosure crisis and will focus on taking advantage of the opportunities this crisis presents to emerge a more diverse, viable and sustainable community. Panelists will discuss the importance of a comprehensive strategy that includes foreclosure prevention and intervention as well as the stabilization of and reinvestment in our neighborhoods as the local impact continues to grow. The panel includes George McCarthy (Senior Program Officer of the Ford Foundation), Kym Spring (Foreclosure Response) and former State Representative Steve Tobocman. Mr. McCarthy will provide the framework for the discussion from the national perspective and the impact at the local level and Mr. Tobocman will share information on how the issue is being addressed at the state level. Ms. Spring will discuss the unique efforts happening in west Michigan. Moderator: Lee Nelson Weber (Dyer-Ives Foundation).

HATE CRIMES IN OUR HEIGHBORHOODS: ENHANCING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES
According to the FBI, 53 hate crimes were reported in west Michigan in 2007 and Michigan ranked third in the country for the number of hate crime incidents reported by law enforcement. This workshop will provide action-oriented information on community responses to hate crimes, recent case overviews and personal experiences dealing with hate crime. The panel includes Sherrill Frost-Brown (National Fair Housing Alliance - NFHA); Darla Robinson (Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance Board); John Obee (Wood, Kull, Herschfus, Obee & Kull); and Kelvin Scott (Director, Michigan Department of Civil Rights). Ms. Frost-Brown will share information on community response strategies, including NFHA’s “Fight Hate: A Rapid Response Strategy.” Mr. Obee will share information on a recent hate crime and fair housing case in Livonia, MI, and Ms. Robinson will share her story of racial intimidation and the subsequent community response. Mr. Scott will provide information on hate crimes from the State level as well as information on the Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes. Moderator: Doretha Ardoin (Coldwell Banker-AJS Schmidt).

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING: BUILDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The Journal of the American Planning Association states that the lack of accessible housing is a critical issue for planners and policy makers - and therefore our communities - because of the needs of an aging population combined with concerns about the civil rights of people with disabilities. This workshop will cover these and other issues about the need for and importance of accessible housing. The panel includes Cat Cloud (National Fair Housing Alliance); Margaret Biggs (ZeroStep/Disability Advocates of Kent County); Regina Davis (Fair Housing Center of West Michigan); and Lucia Rios (Disability Network/Lakeshore). Ms. Cloud will provide a national framework for these issues including results from testing of newly constructed multifamily communities and the impact of noncompliance with accessibility standards. She will also discuss recent court decisions and settlements. Ms. Rios and Ms. Biggs will share information about the profound impact inaccessible housing has on the community and information on local resources available. Ms. Davis will share information about local cases and investigations, reasonable modifications that can be made and opportunities for builders and developers to work with area partners in order to prevent violations before they occur. Ms. Davis will also discuss the impact this currently has on the growing senior community. Moderator: Dave Bulkowski (Disability Advocates of Kent County). This workshop is made possible through the support of the Kent County Senior Millage.

Call (616) 451-2980.

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE: 11:45 - 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Nandinee Kutty, editor and contributor of Segregation: The Rising Costs for America.

Click HERE for Highlights from 2008's Event

Click HERE for Highlights from 2007's Event

Click HERE for Highlights from 2006's Event

Click HERE for Highlights from 2005's Event

PLEASE CHECK BACK
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from Our FHCWM Events Reporter:

COMING SOON!

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20 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Tel: (616) 451-2980, Toll Free: 1-866-389-FAIR
Fax: (616) 451-2657 email: contact-us@fhcwm.org