By Ashley Zsedenyi, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University hosted a training session on fair housing laws for The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights recently in Ransdell Chapel on CU's campus.
Approximately 25 people participated in the session, representing local human rights commissions, housing providers, the Center for Women and Families, fair housing agencies, state NAACP chapters and local real estate agents.
The Kentucky Human Rights Commission produced the event to help people who work in housing fields better assist their clients when dealing with discrimination issues.
Discrimination in the area of housing continues to occur across the state. In 2007, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that people filed 116 housing discrimination complaints in Kentucky. Most of the complaints alleged discrimination on the bases of disability, race and familial status.
“The violation of fair housing laws is still a great concern in our state,” said John J. Johnson, executive director of the state human rights commission.
“Trainings like this one arm housing professionals with tools to help promote compliance and to guide their clients to seek help when discrimination does occur,” Johnson said.
Although many of the attendees were familiar with fair housing laws, the session provided them an opportunity to discuss and learn about the law in detail. Kentucky fair housing law experts like Morgan Ransdell, managing attorney of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, and Arthur Crosby, executive director of the Lexington Fair Housing Council, were on hand to answer questions and address concerns.
The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights chose Campbellsville as the location of this particular training because of the strong partnerships that have developed with Campbellsville University and Greater Campbellsville United.
John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president at CU, has helped the commission foster a climate that seeks to allow all people to thrive in the Campbellsville region, free from discrimination. The commission credits the success of the recent training to Campbellsville University.
“The commission is very appreciative of the support of Campbellsville University,” Johnson said. “This marks the first opportunity our commission has had to offer fair housing training in this very important state region,” he said.
The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces The Kentucky Civil Rights Act and the policies of federal civil rights laws, all of which make discrimination illegal.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2009 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.