Fair Housing for the People
September 24, 2005
Program Schedule
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Registration - Moot Court Lobby
Continental Breakfast - Dining Hall
9:00 - 9:35 a.m. Opening Session - Moot Court Lobby
Welcome and Introductions - Kurt L. Schmoke, Dean, Howard University School of Law
Overview of Program - Tamar Meekins, Associate Professor and Director, Clinical Law Center, Howard University School of Law
“Who Should Have to Get Used to That? - Okianer Christian Dark, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Howard University School of Law
9:35 - 10:30 a.m. Plenary Session - Moot Court Room
Fair Housing 101
W. Sherman Rogers
Howard University School of Law
Fair Housing is the law, but what does that mean for you? Learn the basics of Federal Housing Laws. What types of housing is covered? Who is protected? What can you do if you find out that your rights to fair housing have been violated?
10:30- 10:45 - Break
10:45 - 10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions - Classroom 1-4
Fair Housing 102: Anatomy of a Fair Housing Case
Kathy Fletcher, Director of Communications and Membership, National Fair Housing Alliance
Fair Housing 102 will take you on a journey through an actual fair housing case. This session will teach you the process of filing a housing discrimination suit and the ins and outs of a case. For instance, who do you sue in a fair housing case? How and when do you sue? What are the available remedies to resolve these types of complaints?
Housing That Fits My Needs
Housing for Persons with Disabilities
Tina Smith, Esq. Supervising Attorney
Maryland Legal Aid Bureau
Have you ever wondered what the housing rights really are for persons with disabilities? When is a landlord obligated to accomodate a person with a disability? Learn how Federal fair housing laws protect persons with disabilities. Discover the seven required features for new family dwellings to make them usable by persons with disabilities.
The 3 R’s: Renter’s, Rights and Responsibilites
Brian Gilmore, Clinical Supervising Attorney
Howard University School of Law
D.C. Renters - Learn about rights and responsibilities as tenants issues like repairs, rent payments, warranties, housing code problems, and disputes with landlords are routine to the experience. Empower yourself as a renter in the city!
Chill Out: Strategies for Conflict Resolution
Emmet G. Sullivan, U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia
When people get upset things can sometimes get very hot. Conflict resolution is a way of cooling off a situation and getting to a good ending for everyone. It helps settle problems in a way that lets you hold on to your self respect, while letting others save theirs as well. Learn strategies for keeping a bad scene from getting worse.
11:45 - 2:45 p.m Information Fair - Moot Court Lobby
Various Community organizations will be available to provide information and materials on fair and affordable housing opportunities
12:00 - 1:00 p.m Buffet Lunch - Dining Hall
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Classrooms 1-4
Calling All Homeowners: Protect Your Investment!
Kevin Marchman, Excutive Director, National Organization of African-Americans in Housing
Don’t fall for schemes that could put your property at risk or strip the equity out of your home. Find out about predatory mortgage lending practices, reverse mortgages, home equity loans, and other lending practices. Walk away with tools that will help you make good decisions.
Your Credit and the Law
Instructor TBD
Your credit score can make or break your dream of owning or renting a home. But can you be sure that lenders and creditors are complying with the many laws that govern how your credit score is calculated? This session answers questions about what credit scores mean and how they are used.
Tenants in Action!
Anita Monteiro, Esq.
Tenants in metropolitan areas are seeing apartment buildings converted into condos and neighborhoods becoming more expensive. Don’t just stand by-take action before your building is next! Learn how to organize your neighbors so that you can buy and manage your building when it goes up for sale. Hear how it’s done from someone who has done it!
———-Special Teen Session———-
Assume the Position! What to Do When You Encounter the Police
Tamar Meekins, Associate Professor
Howard University School of Law
You and your friends are just hanging out when the police come up to you and accuse you of some wrongdoing or demand to see your identification. Is this action Constitutional? Can you assert your rights and be safe at the same time? This session will explore these questions and offer practical tips on what you should and should not do when you encounter law enforcement offiers.
2:00 - 2:15p.m. - Break
2:15 - 3:00 p.m. - Closing Session - Moot Court Room