Washington – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced its first-ever “Fair Housing Education in America Day” to be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Designed for 4th through 6th grade students, this national education project will give teachers, parents and their children a basic understanding of the landmark Fair Housing Act.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. To mark this occasion, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and its fair housing partners will encourage schools across the country to instruct younger children about fair housing opportunities. Using a lesson plan developed by HUD, instructors will help to educate young people and to promote the principles of equal opportunity in housing.

“The goal of ‘Fair Housing Education in America Day’ is to start the conversation about fair housing opportunities at a young age,” said Kim Kendrick, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “It’s critically important to teach future generations of renters and home buyers about their rights under the law.”

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on families with children, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, or sex and this April marks its 40th anniversary. Used to create awareness, Fair Housing Month is designed to educate people of all ages about the rights they have under the Fair Housing Act.