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Commission seeks speakers and outreach ideas for 2026 fair housing seminar
Summary
The commission discussed topics and outreach for its annual fair housing seminar — targeting attorneys, realtors and social workers — and flagged tenant turnout and limited outreach funding as challenges.
Commission members and staff discussed planning for the commission’s 2026 fair housing seminar, including potential speakers, topics and outreach strategies.
Staff said the seminar is typically a full-day event held on the last Friday in April to coincide with Fair Housing Month and that the commission seeks topics such as service animals, reasonable accommodations, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protections and lending practices that intersect with fair housing law. Staff noted the event has historically provided continuing-education credits for attorneys, realtors and social workers and that organizers try to include training that would qualify for credit.
Commissioners and staff emphasized outreach challenges. Staff said tenants have been difficult to recruit for the full-day seminar; attendance tends to skew toward attorneys, landlords’ representatives, and social-service providers. The commission discussed ways to increase tenant participation, including targeted smaller presentations, outreach through community partners and possible fee waivers for tenants when sponsors are available.
Staff said outreach funding previously included HUD-supported line items under the commission’s FAP agreement, but that funding was not available last year and may not be available this year. A temporary receptionist, Gloria, will assist with planning through the end of the year.
A commissioner recommended contacting the Community Resilience Hub at Kansas Wesleyan to expand outreach; the contact name given was Sabrina Rosario.
