 |
Fair Housing Poster Contest 2007
In April 2007, the Department hosted its third annual “Fair Housing Poster Contest” for children attending the various community centers located in the three (3) CDBG Target Areas. Children ages 8-12 were given the opportunity to submit posters on one of three (3) Fair Housing themes: 1) A Rainbow Neighborhood, 2) Neighborhood of the Future, and 3) I Can Live Where I Want 4) One people, One goal, One community. The winner from each Community Center received a $50 Gift Certificate, and then went on to compete in the Town-wide competition. The grand-prize winner received an additional $100 Gift Certificate to a store of their choice, the second place winner received a $75 gift certificate, and the third place winner received a $50 gift certificate. Every child that participated received a “ribbon” and a Certificate of
Participation i.e. Honorable Mention.
On April 18, 2007, the grand prize winners were acknowledged at the Davie Town Council Meeting, and presented with a plaque and their gift certificates. Armando Fana the HUD’s Local Field Office Director, Bill Thompson and Keenya Roberston of HOPE, Inc. and Shirley Taylor-Prakelt, the Town's Director of Housing and Community Development made the presentation to the children. This Council Meeting was broadcasted via Cable-TV to all Davie residents. The Town’s Newsletter, the Davie Update for the quarter ending May 2007, will feature a photo of the contest winners, with the HUD and HOPE officials. The winners follow:
1st Place Town-wide
Reubuen Busch
Orange Park At-Risk Youth Program
2nd Place Town-Wide
Kevin Fuentes
Orange Park At-Risk Youth Program
3rd Place Town-wide
Jessica Mendoza
Florence A. DeGeorge Boys & Girls Club
Officials from both HUD and HOPE, Inc. received Proclamations declaring April 2007 Fair Housing Month in Davie; and, advertisements are placed in the Sun-Sentinel, advising the residents of their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. A mass mailing was also undertaken in April 2007, and literature was sent to schools, churches, realtors, etc., advising them of Fair Housing Month, and providing posters for their Bulletin Boards.
Fair Housing Programs Expanded
The Town of Davie is pleased to announce that it has expanded its Fair Housing Education and Outreach Programs, and has renewed it’s contract with Housing Opportunities Project For Excellence (HOPE, Inc.). HOPE, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit corporation engaged in fair housing education, outreach, counseling, and enforcement programs designed to prevent and eliminate discriminatory housing practices. Founded in 1988, HOPE Inc. has conducted more that 2,000 fair housing education workshops, trained more that 800 volunteer testers, conducted more than 1,500 housing discrimination tests, and recovered $6.7 million dollars in out-of-court settlements for victims of housing discrimination.
The Town’s "Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choices" disclosed that there are disproportionate lending practices in Broward County, where minority and low-income individuals were denied financing at higher rates than other applicants. Accessibility to home mortgage (purchase) financing was also noted. While these appear to be an on-going regional problems considered to be “global” impediments for lower-income and minority households, the Town’s Fair Housing Initiatives have been targeted for lenders and real estate agencies.
If you have been denied housing, or feel that you have been discriminated against in seeking or securing housing in Davie, you are encouraged to call:
(954) 567-0545 - HOPE, Inc. at the Broward Office
Predatory Lending
With American’s experiencing unprecedented levels of debt, certain unscrupulous lending institutions are capitalizing on elderly and lower-income families, by offering “easy credit” or “equity refinancing”, which could result in the loss of your home.
As a general rule, if someone calls or mails you an offer for “instant cash or credit” using your home as security for the loan, regardless of your past poor credit history, this may not be in your best interest. Legitimate lending institutions do not solicit business. So, if it sounds too good to be true - it probably is.
If you are seeking a loan to consolidate debt, you may need the guidance of experienced credit counselors. The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of South Florida, provides free services to Davie residents, including: debt management plans, housing counseling, first-time home- buyer programs, delinquent mortgage programs, reverse mortgage counseling for senior citizens, and workshops on money management. For information on the services provided by CCCS, please call 1 (800) 928-2227, or you can visit their office at 4491 South State Road 7 in Davie. Appointments are necessary; so, please call in advance!
If you feel that you have been the victim of a “predatory lender” please contact Davie’s Housing and Community Development Office at 797-1173.
| |
