March 7, 2016 - Westchester County's 2016 Fair and Affordable Housing Expo will take place on Saturday, March 12 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

"Residents who attend the Expo can meet with the realtors, mortgage lenders and not-for-profit counselors who will be available to answer any and all of their questions on affordable housing," said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino.

Throughout the day, visitors who are interested in buying or renting affordable housing in the county can learn the answers to questions such as:
• Am I eligible for affordable housing?
• Is it better to rent or own?
• How much do I need for a down payment?
• Are there any programs that help with down payment and closing costs?
• What is the importance of credit and a good credit score?
• What is the role of the not-for-profit counselor, the realtor, inspector, the attorney and the lender?

At 1 p.m., a workshop on Fair and Affordable Housing will focus on the current and pending affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, and on the application and selection process. There will also be a demonstration on how to navigate through Homeseeker Online, a Web site that provides information about affordable homeownership and rental apartment opportunities in Westchester.

At 2 p.m., a workshop entitled Rental Housing will provide visitors with an opportunity to meet with not-for-profit counselors who will advise and describe the process of finding affordable rentals.

The Fair Housing Department of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission (HRC) will give a presentation on the protections provided by Westchester County's Fair Housing Law and will discuss how the HRC can assist individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in the course of their involvement in Westchester's housing market.

For more information on the Expo, contact Westchester Residential Opportunities at , 914-428-4507 x 314; or the Housing Action Council at , 914-332-4144.

The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Ave. in White Plains. The fee for parking at the County Center is $7. The event is co-sponsored by Westchester County, the Westchester Interfaith Housing Corporation and the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc.