Tenth Annual Housing Fair and Financial Fitness Day Planned

[Howard Hartman]

City of Gaithersburg Press Release
For Immediate Release          July 8, 2010

Tenth Annual Housing Fair
and Financial Fitness Day Planned

Sponsors and Exhibitors Invited

The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) invites housing providers, businesses, banks, credit unions, realtors, government agencies, community organizations, and nonprofits to be sponsors and exhibitors at the annual Housing Fair. The fair will take place on Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bohrer Park Activity Center, Summit Hall Farm, 506 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg.

Sponsors receive recognition for their organization depending on the level of sponsorship. Platinum sponsors will receive special recognition on local radio and TV shows, and their logos will be prominently displayed on the Ride On buses. All sponsors will receive mention in Spanish and English publicity posters distributed at schools, bus stops, and other locations throughout the county in the weeks before the fair and in the Housing Fair program. Sponsors will receive prime booth space for displaying their promotional materials. Booths will be set up with tables and chairs so attendees can receive one-on-one assistance from vendors. The exhibit fee amount is tailored to the type of organization: businesses and banks; credit unions; government and education groups; and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Exhibitors are encouraged to register before August 16 to receive a reduced rate.

This year marks the tenth anniversary for the Housing Fair, and organizers are planning expanded outreach to the community, as well as new networking opportunities and publicity benefits for participating sponsors and exhibitors. Last year’s attendance hit record levels of more than 1,000 people, with 100 sponsors and exhibitors participating.

“Our tenth anniversary Housing Fair is a unique opportunity for businesses and organizations to reach people who are in the market for housing in Montgomery County,” said Myriam Torrico, administrator of Hispanic Affairs in DHCA. “We are expecting hundreds of homeowners interested in refinancing their mortgages to attend in addition to people looking for rental housing. Information on renters’ rights, money management, credit, and bankruptcy will be provided, as well as sound advice on what to do if you are in danger of losing your home.”

Free, one-on-one foreclosure prevention and credit counseling will be provided.

Businesses, government agencies, community organizations and nonprofits interested in being a sponsor or exhibitor should contact Myriam Torrico at 240-777-3627, or email myriam.torrico@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The fair is organized by the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs in partnership with the Housing Fair Planning Committee, whose members include: the cities of Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park; HomeFree USA; Housing and Community Initiatives, Inc.; Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc.; the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County; the Latino Economic Development Corporation; the Mid-County, Silver Spring and, UpCounty Regional Services Centers; the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services; and the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights.