Housing Matters Seminar to be Held at Frostburg Community Center

On Monday, April 11, 2016, Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc (BNI) will hold a “Housing Matters” seminar at the Frostburg Community Center at 27 South Water Street in order to educate potential tenants about federal and local laws regarding fair housing, as well as the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.

Registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is free and a complementary lunch will be provided.

Charmeda D. McCready, Director of Programs for BNI, said they will be in town on April 10, 11, and 12. She said she reached out to Dr. Jesse Ketterman and Dr. Jeff Graham in the student affairs office to arrange a way for students to better connect with BNI, since most students will be in class during the seminar’s time.

Ketterman, Dean of Students, has been contacted for comment.

The first seminar, focusing on fair housing matters, will last from 9 am to noon.

“This seminar illuminates federal and local laws surrounding fair housing, including what constitutes discrimination, who is protected from discrimination, and what we can do to reduce the negative impact of housing discrimination in our communities,” according to a press release. “Those in attendance will receive an in-depth lesson on the federal Fair Housing Act, legal rights for persons with disabilities, accessibility, advertising guidelines, and more.”

A second seminar, on tenant-landlord matters, will be held from 1 p.m. until 3:30 pm.

“This training will offer impartial information on the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords before, during, and after tenancy,” said the press release. “The content focuses on frequently asked questions about failure to pay rent, rent escrow, security deposits, eviction procedures, lead paint abatement, and proper notice to and from landlords. We will also discuss protections and resources are available to both tenants and landlords. Additionally, BNI will provide a special module on Lead Paint Laws from the Green and Healthy Homes, Initiative.”

This event is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the City of Frostburg and the City of Cumberland.

To register, visit bnimd.eventbrite.com or contact Fair Housing Specialist Lexi Williams at 410-576-0267 or email awilliams@bni-maryland.org.