Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 2-18-22

Feature
American Dream Fest Educates And Provides Resources For Home Ownership
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
The American Dream Fest was designed to provide solid advice for future and present homeowners to get sound advice on financial and real estate matters.
The once-a-month 2022 event had its first session in January, and on February 19, 2022, the public is invited to attend the second American Dream Fest event. The Cen- ter for Economic Develop- ment will host the event.
The Center for Economic Development is a non-profit organization, founded by Kella McCaskill, a Tampa native, and a realtor. The purpose of the organization
is to educate people, provide resources for home owner- ship, and give sound finan- cial advice.
The group aims to share valuable information regard- ing the pursuit of the Ameri- can Dream, which includes owning a home in a safe, clean neighborhood. It is an outreach-based operation with outreach and assistance based on the advice of ex- perts brought in by Mc- Caskill.
Other issues being dealt with are concerns over gen- trification. Rehabbing the neighborhoods, showing the worth of the homes, and put- ting homeowners together with competent profession- als to help citizens be treated
KELLA MCCASKILL
in a fair manner. McCaskill states, “We
need to treat housing insecu- rity, lack of affordable hous- ing options, and rental spikes
as an emergency.”
“If we do nothing, thou-
sands of individuals and families will be displaced, and the real estate market will look like a natural disas- ter!”
During the planning of the American Dream Fest session in January, Mc- Caskill started hearing about steep rent increases in Tampa. Even Section 8 hous- ing has been affected. She reached out to Tampa City Council Chairman Or- lando Gudes, and he re- sponded positively and mentioned the crisis at Council meeting. The Dream Fest event in January de- voted the first three hours on rent increases.
After engaging commu- nity leader Chloe Coney, an additional program will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ragan Park, 1200 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33610.
Experts from around the country will speak at the lis- tening session. The public and members of the Tampa City Council and Hillsbor- ough County Board of Com- missioners are invited.
The next day on Part 2, of the 12-month program will be held at 9 a.m. at Ragan Park. The discussion will be with realtors and best prac- tices for the current market.
REGISTER NOW: www.theamerican- dreamfest.com.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY PAGE 5-A