Fair Housing Fest set for Saturday at Joe Henry park

The 10th annual Yuma Fair Housing Festival is being held Saturday, marking the 50th anniversary of the landmark Fair Housing act while the city also showcases the upgraded facilities at Joe Henry Optimist Park.

The free event will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the gym within Joe Henry Optimist Center, 1793 S. First Ave., where several agencies and businesses will have representatives available to advise people about housing resources and fair housing rights.

The theme this year will be “Healthy Families/Healthy Communities,” and presenters cover at least one of four areas: Nonprofit housing resources, homebuying information, gardening information and do-it-yourself instruction on basic home maintenance tasks.

Games and small giveaways will be offered to participants at the event, which is being held on the gym’s brand-new hardwood floor donated by the Phoenix Suns and APS, dedicated on Wednesday. Air conditioning was added recently to the center, making summer activities possible.

Adriana Medrano, neighborhood services specialist with the city, said the event is intended to spur residents to think about their rights, as well as provide practical advice about buying and maintaining a house.

“Americans are reminded that all citizens are entitled to the same fair housing rights when seeking to rent, own, buy or insure a home, and they are free to take action if they suspect discrimination,” she said.

The housing festival is sponsored by the city of Yuma, Yuma County, Western Arizona Council of Governments, Housing Authority City of Yuma, and Southwest Fair Housing Council. Other vendors will include:

• Housing/real estate — Yuma Association of Realtors, Keller Williams, Long Realty, Academy Mortgage, Nova Home Loans, Washington Federal. Comite de Bienestar.

• Health — Sunset Community Health Care, Yuma County Public Health, Banner Health

• Other services — Yuma County Library District, Arizona@ Work (YPIC), APS, Community Legal Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Fair Housing Act anniversary will also be commemorated 5 p.m. tonight at the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main Street. Yuma Deputy Mayor Gary Knight will read a proclamation recognizing April as Fair Housing Month, and the winners of a poster contest for Arizona Western College graphic design students will be announced, judged on how well their work furthers the theme of fair housing.