Pace Law to Hold Symposium on Housing Settlement

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Interested in what local legal experts think of Westchester's progress on implementing the 2009 housing settlement? 

The Pace Law School and Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. have invited residents to attend a symposium on affordable housing in the lower Hudson Valley this Friday. 

The program will open with a presentation by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary John Trasviña, who will discuss how Westchester's $51.6 million settlement has impacted affordable housing across the nation. 

The symposium will then feature two panel discussions monitored by Gretchen Flint, who is the director of Pace Law School's John Jay Legal Services.

The first panel will focus on the benefits of diverse communities and how to overcome obstacles that hinder integration. American Civil Liberties Union Director Dennis Parker, Glenn Martin of the Fortune Society, diversity expert Ted Childs, and Leah Caro of Bronxville-Ley Real Estate will participate in this forum.

The second panel will analyze the myths, progress, and goals of the housing settlement that requires Westchester to build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 predominately white communities. James Johnson, the court-appointed monitor of the settlement implementation, Westchester Legislator Judith Myers (D-Mamaroneck), New Castle Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard (D), John Nolon, a Pace Law School professor, and Deuty County Executive Kevin Plunkett will speak in the second discussion.

To register for the symposium, which will be held at 83 N. Broadway from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, contact Linda Maccarrone at (914)422-4062. Tickets are $20. 

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