db:wade.pr                            97- 243              Contact:  Odessa Shannon, 301-468-4260
 
 
 DUNCAN ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF
 FAIR HOUSING COORDINATOR         For Release: July 29, 1997
  
 
      County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that Burtonsville resident
 Charlotte Wade has been named to the position of Fair Housing Coordinator for Montgomery
 County.  The job was created 10 years ago to fight housing discrimination in the County. 
 Funding for the position was cut last year by the County Council, but restored this year
 following a Fair Housing Council report that Montgomery County had the second worst
 housing discrimination rate in the Washington Metropolitan area.
      "I am pleased that we again have a full-time Fair Housing Coordinator to ensure that
 all our citizens are treated fairly when applying for a mortgage, buying a home, or trying to
 rent a house or apartment," said Duncan.  "It is absolutely unacceptable that housing
 discrimination still exists, and we are committed to eradicating even the most subtle forms
 here in Montgomery County."
      Wade will be responsible for implementing and monitoring the new $400,000 program
 that was initiated by Duncan earlier this year in response to the Fair Housing Council report. 
 The program includes on-going testing, public education, training and outreach, as well as an
 analysis of  the lending practices of financial institutions.
 
                                   (more)
 
 WADE NAMED FAIR HOUSING COORDINATOR                                 2-2-2-2
      Wade brings to the job five years experience as Executive Director of the Southern
 Arizona Housing Center, a private non-profit fair housing enforcement agency in Tucson,
 Arizona.  In addition to overseeing the investigation and resolution of complaints of housing
 discrimination, Wade initiated and developed the only local and county fair housing programs,
 increasing funding and support.  She also provided extensive community outreach and
 education concerning federal and state fair housing acts.   Other experience includes working
 as an affordable housing expert and an architectural accessibility specialist for persons with
 disabilities.
       "All people have the right to obtain the best and most appropriate housing they can
 afford," said Wade.  "I look forward to working with the Human Relations Commission to
 help ensure that residents of Montgomery County are free to exercise that right without
 encountering discrimination."
      "We are very pleased to have Charlotte Wade, a person with substantial background
 and experience, join us in addressing fair housing issues," said Odessa Shannon, Executive
 Director of the County's Human Relations Commission.  "Her work in the area of fair,
 affordable and accessible housing has been recognized with numerous awards, honors, and
 accolades. We expect the County to benefit greatly from her knowledge and enthusiasm."
      The Human Relations Commission recently assumed responsibility for the County's
 fair housing program and has been developing a comprehensive plan in conjunction with the
 Interagency Fair Housing Coordinating Group, composed of county agency staff, community
 activists and industry representatives.
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