LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AWARDS ZANESVILLE FAIR HOUSING GRANT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that the City of Zanesville, in Muskingum County, will receive a $15,000 grant to assist with fair housing efforts.

"This funding will help the City of Zanesville educate the public regarding fair housing laws and regulations," said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). "Public awareness on equal access to decent, affordable housing promotes healthy communities."

The funds will be awarded through the Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Program, administered by the ODOD’s Office of Housing and Community Partnerships.

The City will use the funds to purchase computer equipment for use in developing fair housing displays and presentations; air fair housing public service announcements; purchase billboard advertising space to promote fair housing; and develop and distribute more than 6,000 fair housing promotional items at events throughout the county.

The CDBG New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Program provides local governments with funds to affirmatively advance fair housing opportunities. Affirmative fair housing strategies are designed to address locally assessed needs and commitments, while advancing the state's fair housing goals.