NOT FOR RELEASE -- FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY	CR

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1998                                                                                                                         (202) 616-2765

                                                                                                                                                                                TDD (202) 514-1888

ADVISORY: ACTING ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BILL

LANN LEE TO TRAVEL TO NEWARK TO MAKE A FAIR HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT




	WASHINGTON, D.C. -- To mark the beginning of National Fair
Housing Month, Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for
Civil Rights, will travel to Newark, New Jersey, tomorrow to make
an announcement concerning a racial discrimination housing case in
Northern New Jersey.  




	This month marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the
Fair Housing Act.  The law was passed by Congress to safeguard the
right of all Americans to seek out affordable decent housing.  The
law makes it illegal for any person to discriminate against another
seeking housing opportunities because of that person's race, sex,
ethnicity, religion, or familial status.




	The press conference will take place at:




	TIME:	11:00 a.m.

	LOCATION:	970 Broad Street, Newark

	DATE: 	April 2, 1998

	




	In 1989, the Fair Housing Act was amended to increase the
amount of damages victims could obtain under the law.  The
amendment also ensures that all new construction and design begun
after March 1, 1991 meet certain requirements of accessibility so
that people with disabilities would have an equal opportunity to
seek housing.  Since that time, the Department has brought over 800
cases involving housing discrimination.




	The press conference is open to all members of the media.




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