Everyone is welcome at this special housing justice event to start Fair Housing Month!

The Vermont Human Rights Commission and Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) are pleased to host "Just Action" authors Richard Rothstein & Leah Rothstein on April 1 in partnership with Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Champlain Housing Trust, Farrell Properties, Burlington's Community & Economic Development Office and Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Office, Redstone, and Vermont State Housing Authority. RSVP for this free event at https://sevendaystickets.com/events/just-action-4-1-2024

In his best-selling book "The Color of Law," Richard Rothstein debunked the myth that Black and white Americans live separately by choice, providing "the most forceful argument ever published on how federal, state, and local governments gave rise to and reinforced neighborhood segregation" (William Julius Wilson). For "Just Action," Rothstein teamed up with housing policy expert Leah Rothstein, who is also his daughter, to provide community leaders, activists, and supporters a blueprint for redressing residential segregation.

"Just Action" details how local groups can learn about their region's history and offers policies and strategies to improve resources in lower-income segregated areas, open up exclusive suburban neighborhoods to diversity, and improve housing opportunities everywhere. This work is closely aligned with policy change and activities taking place at the state and local levels all over Vermont as we work to mitigate the current housing crisis, recover from the effects of the pandemic and devastating flooding, and create more perpetually affordable homes.

The free April 1 event is hosted by Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center and includes a presentation and discussion followed by a book signing and happy hour with refreshments, a cash bar, and music. Childcare is available thanks to ONE Arts Community School and Phoenix Books will have copies of "Just Action" and the "Color of Law" for sale.

WHAT: Just Action - Fair Housing Month keynote event
WHERE: Main Street Landing Film House, 3rd Floor, 60 Lake St., Burlington
WHEN: Monday, April 1, with presentation/discussion at 5:30pm followed by book signing and 7-8pm happy hour
RSVP: https://sevendaystickets.com/events/just-action-4-1-2024

In preparation for the Rothsteins' visit, CVOEO is facilitating a statewide Housing Justice Book Club. Participants can join the online discussion on March 25 in addition to the April 1 event. To learn more and sign up, visit https://fairhousingmonthvt.org/just-action-book-club

About Fair Housing Month
Each year in April, the Fair Housing Project of CVOEO coordinates a month-long series of events and activities to celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act. CVOEO and partners have created a robust schedule of free public education and art events to raise awareness about the importance of equal access to housing, free from discrimination, and the positive role that inclusive, affordable housing plays in thriving communities. Virtual and in-person activities include workshops, community discussions, book groups, presentations, library events, the all-ages HeART & Home Community Art Project, and an art exhibit at Burlington City Hall in partnership with Arts So Wonderful. Learn more at https://fairhousingmonthvt.org/ and contact us at fhp@cvoeo.org.

April Fair Housing Month activities are made possible by a statewide network of housing, community, and arts partners, including Vermont Human Rights Commission, Arts So Wonderful, Housing & Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, Vermont Department of Libraries, Vermont Legal Aid, Burlington City Arts, ONE Arts, and Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission with the generous sponsorship of Champlain Housing Trust, Farrell Properties, Redstone, Vermont State Housing Authority, CEDO, REIB, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Main Street Landing, Cathedral Square, Evernorth, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, and Mount Ascutney Regional Commission.

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