For the second year in a row, the Oklahoma City HUD Office was invited to speak at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. The audience was twenty-one students enrolled in an evening course studying "Procedures for Severe/Profound Health Disabilities." The students are now, or expect to become, engaged in some aspect of service provision to persons with disabilities.

Public Housing Specialist Jerry Hyden uses humor to emphasize a point for the class.

HUD representatives from the Public Housing, Fair Housing, Multifamily Housing, Community Planning & Development, and Field Policy & Management Divisions of HUD discussed programs in their respective areas and answered numerous questions. The rights of persons with disabilities under the Fair Housing Laws were explained, as well as the types of rental-assisted and public housing that is available throughout the State of Oklahoma. The students learned that programs, such as the Community Development Block Grant, are important resources in addressing needs of lower income persons. Citizens can have a voice in the way those funds are used through the annual Consolidated Plan process.

Special attention was given to using HUD's national web site and the Oklahoma HUD web page. Handouts were provided, and the class was shown how to access information on Fair Housing, Faith-Based and Community Organizations, People with Disabilities, and many other topics. April is National Fair Housing Month and a great time to explore all the housing information available at www.hud.gov, or by calling the HUD Field Offices in Oklahoma City (405) 553-7509 or Tulsa (918) 581-7434.