Chicago Housing Commissioner Ellen Sahli and Ald. Ray Suarez (31st) will launch the year's first affordable housing expo, the Northwest Region Expo, on Saturday March 29, 2008.

The event will run from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Falconer School, 3020 N. Lamon Ave., in the City's Belmont Cragin community.

"We are pleased that this collaborative effort will bring information on affordable housing opportunities to the attention of residents in the area," said Suarez, Chairman of the City Council's Housing and Real Estate Committee. "Part of our responsibility is to bring affordable housing opportunities to the attention of residents throughout the City."

"We want to reach out to as many first-time homebuyers and renters as possible so that they know of the opportunities that are available to them," Sahli said. "We believe that having affordable housing providers in one location can help provide answers and direction for interested families and individuals."

In addition to City agencies, the expos include lenders, real-estate professionals and housing counseling agencies, and well as private vendors who provide services for people looking for affordable housing. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and meet a variety of industry professionals and service providers.

Homeowners facing foreclosure and those who want to make sure that it doesn't happen to them will be able to take advantage of financial counseling services with on-site counselors.

The expos will be held on Saturdays through October at the following times and locations:

• April 12, 2008 - Creative Chicago Expo, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• April 19, 2008 - Camino A Su Casa, West Side Technical Institute, 2800 S. Western Ave., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• April 26, 2008 - Southwest Region Expo, Maria Saucedo Academy, 2850 W. 24th Blvd., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• September 20, 2008- Rental Housing Expo, Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• October 4, 2008 - Central Region Expo, Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• October 18, 2008 - South Region Expo, Olive Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information about City neighborhood housing Expos and other Department of Housing programs is accessible through the Department's homepage or by calling 311.