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National Fair Housing Alliance and HUD Secretary Donovan Roll Out Media CampaignHUD and Fair Housing Group Partner to Fight Foreclosures and DiscriminationJune 8, 2009 — Today, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan rolled out their national media campaign to fight foreclosures and discrimination. NFHA, whose board Miami Valley Fair Housing Center President/CEO Jim McCarthy chairs, and HUD have partnered to create a national media campaign that informs consumers about alternatives to foreclosure, how to avoid predatory loan terms and how to recognize and report rental discrimination. NFHA’s members nationwide, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and other groups will assist with distributing the materials.
 HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan with NFHA Board Chair Jim McCarthy Secretary Donovan spoke at NFHA’s annual conference “Fair Housing in the 21st Century: Realizing a More Perfect Union” at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. “Today, we are witnessing the devastating effects of the foreclosure crisis in communities across the country — a loss of wealth and housing security, depleted tax-bases, reduced social and municipal services, and less funding for schools,” said Shanna L. Smith, NFHA President and CEO. “Every day, communities of color and lower-income borrowers are disproportionately shouldering the fallout of years of abusive and predatory lending. We are happy to be able to partner with HUD today to make sure all families know their rights.” The campaign is designed to target: (1) families in immediate need to refinance; (2) families in or on the brink of foreclosure; (3) families facing eviction or already in the rental market: and (4) families ready to purchase a home. The media campaign includes print ads and posters addressing foreclosure prevention, predatory lending and rental discrimination in English, Spanish and Chinese; television public service announcements (PSA) in English and Spanish; radio PSAs in English and Spanish; a movie slide; and an airport diorama. In total, 26 products with some variations in English, Spanish and Chinese will be produced for this campaign. Foreclosure prevention — Materials drive consumers to the Making Home Affordable website, where consumers can learn about alternatives to foreclosure, get linked to HUD-certified housing counseling agencies, and reach their servicers. Anti-Predatory Lending — Materials drive consumers to HUD’s Predatory Lending website. There, consumers can learn how to access the media campaign materials, information, website links and contact information for government, public and private groups/businesses about mortgage lending opportunities and how to recognize and report lending discrimination. Rental Housing Discrimination — Materials drive consumers to HUD’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity website. Consumers will be more aware of how to recognize and report rental discrimination and find links to government and non-profit enforcement and counseling agencies. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. It also covers all housing transactions and services, including advertising, rentals, sales, lending, and insurance, as well as harassment.
Previous news items are available here. | Resources and useful linksDon't Risk Your Home
Watch out for predatory lending. Learn more about it by visiting dontrisk yourhome.com.
If you feel you are a victim of predatory lending and live in Montgomery County, Ohio, call the Predatory Lending Solutions hotline at 937-222-9671 if you are currently in foreclosure. If you are not currently in foreclosure, you should call the HomeOwnership Center of Greater Dayton at 937-853-1600. 
Reasonable Modifications and AccommodationsHave questions about what your rights or responsibilities are under the federal Fair Housing Act for persons with disabilities? Now available online in the Services/Reference section are joint statements from the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development that explain reasonable modifications and accommodations.
Service Animal PolicyA Service Animal Policy is now available available online in the Services/Reference section. The policy explains what service animals are and how they are a reasonable accommodation under the Federal Fair Housing Act and also provides practice guidelines for housing providers and for tenants.Your Rights & Duties as a Tenant
Although MVFHC does not provide assistance with landlord/tenant issues unrelated to discrimination, the booklet Your Rights and Duties as a Tenant, presented by Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc., is a useful resource.
Additional Landlord/Tenant infoAlso, if you are a landlord or a tenant wanting information on your rights and duties under Ohio law, the Dayton-Montgomery County Ombudsman's Office has a page about landlord/tenant issues.Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase ListA word and phrase list intended as a guideline to assist in complying with state and federal fair housing laws is available online in the Services/Reference section.Equal Housing Opportunity usage guidelines
Guidelines on the usage of the "Equal Housing Opportunity" logo and slogan are available online in the Services/Reference section.
 
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. To learn how you can save money in your home, visit www.energystar.gov.
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Copyright 2003-2009, Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, Inc.