2009 Fair Housing Symposium

Why Fair Housing? The Modern Face of Discrimination

The symposium was held on Friday, April 3, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Venable Baetjer Howard Moot Court Room at the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Panelist and Speaker Bios

Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc. (BNI) and the University of Baltimore School of Law presented a symposium entitled Why Fair Housing? The Modern Face of Discrimination. Panelists addressed hot topics in fair housing law and enforcement from both local and national perspectives. The panelists are highly respected leaders in the fight for justice in housing. Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler made opening remarks at the symposium.  The keynote speaker, James Carr, chief operating officer from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, presented a keynote address on the nation's foreclosure crisis.

Why Fair Housing?

Housing discrimination is a prevalent problem in America. In the past, this discrimination was blatant, and even lawful. Now, discrimination occurs in covert ways, such as through predatory loans, biased housing advertisements, racial steering, redlining, and denial of reasonable accommodation and modification requests by the disabled.

The costs of these practices are real. Predatory lending triggered the foreclosure crisis, which in turn has crippled world economies and left thousands of families homeless. Housing discrimination also leads to substandard living conditions for the disabled; higher rents for adults with children; and the denial of housing opportunities to homebuyers.

This event kicked off BNI's 50th Anniversary Celebration. BNI has been a leader not only in Maryland, but also in the nation in fighting for fair and equal housing for 50 years. Find out how you can get involved, and learn more about protections under the Fair Housing Act. Find out more about BNI.