Montgomery County Announces 12th Annual Housing Fair and Financial Fitness Day; Sponsors and Exhibitors Invited

January 24, 2012

by Maryland RealEstateRama

Category: News || Housing & Development | 1 Comment

January 24, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) invites housing providers, realtors, property managers, businesses, banks, credit unions, government agencies, community organizations and nonprofits to register as housing fair sponsors and exhibitors at the 12th Annual Montgomery County Housing Fair and Financial Fitness Day. The fair will take place on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bohrer Park Activity Center, Summit Hall Farm, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.

Sponsors receive recognition for their organization depending on the level of sponsorship. Some examples include special recognition on local radio and TV shows; inclusion in the housing fair program; the display of their logos on Ride On buses; and publicity posters distributed in both English and Spanish at schools, bus stops and other locations throughout the county. Sponsors will receive prime booth space at the fair for displaying their promotional materials. 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 April 6 to receive a reduced rate. Last year more than 90 sponsors and exhibitors participated and more than 1,000 people attended.

This year the fair will offer loan modifications on site, as well as free foreclosure prevention counseling, free credit reports and analysis, guidance for people looking for affordable rental housing, information on avoiding housing scams, and information on the legal implications of housing problems, including the tax consequences of short sales.

“We are expecting hundreds of homeowners interested in refinancing their mortgages to attend, in addition to those in the market for rental housing,” said Myriam Torrico, DHCA administrator of Community Programs. “Information on new federal and state programs offering foreclosure prevention assistance will be provided as well as information on what we are doing at the local level to help residents stay in their homes.”

This year’s annual housing fair has been moved from the fall to the spring in an effort to build on the momentum of the foreclosure prevention event that took place in October 2011.

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; Asian American Homeownership Counseling; Housing and Community Initiatives, Inc.; Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc.; Housing Opportunities Commission; Latino Economic Development Corporation; Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services; Montgomery County Office of Human Rights; and the office of U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen.

To become a sponsor or exhibitor, contact Myriam Torrico at 240-777-3627 or email myriam.torrico (at) montgomerycountymd (dot) gov.

# # #

Program Contact: Myriam Torrico, 240-777-3627
Media Contact: Sue Tucker, 240-777-6507