City of Ocala event will commemorate Fair Housing Act anniversary

A number of guests attended the city of Ocala’s 2024 Fair Housing Community Event. This year’s event is set for April 17. [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]

The city of Ocala’s Community Development Services department is hosting a special event on April 17 as part of Fair Housing Month and to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act 57.

This celebration will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala. The event is made possible through partnerships with Community Legal Services, the Housing Finance Authority and the Ocala Housing Authority.

“Guests will hear from insightful speakers and enjoy a complimentary dinner as we reflect on the progress of fair housing and the work that still lies ahead,” noted the news release.

Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968, the Fair Housing Act is a landmark federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. It also ensures that federal housing programs actively promote fair housing and provide avenues for addressing discrimination, the release stated.

To learn more, the “Gazette” did an email Q&A with Community Development Services Director James Haynes Jr.

Who is your target audience in celebrating this 57th anniversary?
The community-at-large, to include local government housing and community legal agencies, realtors, attorneys, tenants, landlords and citizens.

Why is it important to recognize the Fair Housing Act as a federal law?
To avoid the effect of biases and misconceptions in real estate transactions.

Who will be the guest speakers at the dinner?
Nicole Carrero is the managing attorney of the Fair Housing Unit with Community Legal Services. Prior to joining CLS, Carrero practiced complex commercial litigation with a private firm. She has been a litigator for eight years, tried several cases to verdict and practiced in multiple areas of law.
Ricardo L. Gilmore is a senior partner and co-founder of Saxon|Gilmore. Gilmore has practiced law for more than 40 years and specializes in the areas of business and corporate law, real estate, public finance and commercial litigation. He serves as general counsel to housing authorities in Florida and as special counsel in other states relative to affordable housing development matters, involving a multiplicity of legal issues unique to housing authorities as well as applicable to governmental agencies and/or corporate entities. He has developed a specialty in public housing law and has been involved in two extensive litigation matters appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court that established nationwide precedents.

How does the City of Ocala Community Development Services Department, Community Legal Services, the Housing Finance Authority and the Ocala Housing Authority work together?
The city of Ocala’s CDS Department has a long-standing relationship with the Ocala Housing Authority and Central Florida Community Legal Services in bettering housing opportunities. The city, as well as OHA, refer citizens with fair housing questions, concerns or complaints to Central Florida Community Legal Services. They review citizens’ circumstances and proceed with appropriate steps to rectify the reported housing legal issues. The city also looks to regularly partner with Central Florida Community Legal Services to provide fair housing training opportunities to renters and landlords, with the hopes of educating participants in an effort to avoid fair housing violations.
The Housing Finance Authority’s mission is to increase the availability of workforce housing and to provide state bonds to assist developers with the inclusion of affordable housing in their market rate developments. As an affordable housing landlord, it ensures fair housing practices are enforced and tenants are educated regarding their housing rights.

Is there a deadline for people to RSVP for the dinner?
Yes, Friday, April 4, 2025. They can register at allevents.in/ocala/2025-fair-housing-event-city-of-ocala/100001261163065679 or eventbrite.com/e/2025-fair-housing-event-city-of-ocala-tickets-1261163065679?msockid=1b793b4f4bcc6217220b2efd4a1a63ef

The Ocala City Council will be presenting a Fair Housing Proclamation to local housing agencies during its regularly scheduled meeting on April 1, which will begin at 4 p.m., at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala. The meeting is open to the public.

To learn more, go to ocalafl.gov