Dillard University To Host City-Wide Housing Fair Like Non-Other

Over 50 Exhibitors & Presenters To Attend On June 28, 2008

Dillard University’s Community Development Corporation and its co-sponsors look to host what the locals are calling the largest city-wide housing fair since Hurricane Katrina. Over 50 exhibitors and presenters – including the Asian and Hispanic communities – will be on campus (2601 Gentilly Boulevard ~ New Orleans) Saturday, June 28, from 10 am to 3 pm to discuss and offer suggestions on the housing plight in the south gulf coast region. Organizers are expecting about 1,000 people to attend. The fair is open to the general public.

“Dillard University’s Community Development Corporation (DUCDC) is well aware of the difficult and in some cases daunting task of homeowners’ efforts to rebuild their houses and or small businesses since Katrina,” said Nick Harris, Executive Vice President of the DUCDC. “We intend to make the transition smoother for all involved – that includes Blacks, Whites, Hispanics and Asians.”

Harris said it has been well documented the level of frustration felt by homeowners and potential homeowners. Participants of the housing symposium feel that they can put some of these concerns to rest. Topics of interest are: predatory lenders; financing; Army Corps of Engineers; high energy and gas prices; lack of affordable housing and homeowners’ insurance; creditable contractors; code enforcement and obtaining, reading and understanding credit reports. Collaborative materials will be available for the taking.

The housing fair is being sponsored by: Entergy, The Finance Authority of New Orleans, Capital One Bank, Chase Bank, Whitney Bank, Regions Bank, Iberia Bank, Liberty Bank, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Puentes, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, FDIC – Money Smart, NeighborWorks America and Volunteers of America.

For more information on the housing fair, exhibitors and or presenters, contact Dillard University’s Community Development Corporation office at (504) 816-4205 or contact the communications and marketing department.

Dillard University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), has been a cornerstone of educational excellence and a critical part of the New Orleans community since 1869. Dillard University offers a quality, four-year, comprehensive undergraduate program, awarding degrees in Business, Humanities, Educational & Psychological Studies, Natural Sciences & Public Health, Social Sciences, and Nursing. Dillard students represent 29 states and several foreign countries.