Media Release

Area housing providers, realtors, and public officials are invited to the Fair Housing Celebration on Friday, April 28, 2006 beginning at noon at Tapas 12 West (formerly Steve's Cafe Americain), 12 W University Ave., Gainesville. The celebration is co-sponsored by The Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office, and The City of Gainesville Office of Equal Opportunity. Lunch will be provided.

The guest speaker for the luncheon is Nancy Rivera-Wright, Acting Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (HUD Jacksonville Field Office).

Immediately following lunch and the speaker, the winning poster from the Alachua County Fair Housing Poster Contest 2006 will be unveiled at a 1:30 p.m. award ceremony. The poster contest was held November 2005 through January 2006 for students in grades K-12 in Alachua County. All contest participants will be recognized and the winner will receive a new computer. The winning poster will be used in a campaign to promote Fair Housing throughout Alachua County. Contest prizes were donated by community sponsors.

Fair Housing is set forth in the Alachua County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 111. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, disability, familial status, sex, marital status, or age in the sale or rental of housing in Alachua County. April of each year is designated as Fair Housing Month.

For questions citizens can contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at (352) 374-5275.