HUD Distributes Videos on Y2K Preparation to Public Housing Authorities

WASHINGTON, March 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Department of Housingand Urban Development (HUD) will send housing authorities andmanagers of HUD-subsidized housing 18,000 copies of a video designedto help them update their computer systems and embedded microchipdevices to avoid problems when the Year 2000 arrives.

The video, called "Six Steps to Year 2000 Readiness," will beaccompanied by a workbook that includes business functionchecklists,sample assessment documents, resource lists, and other practicalinformation to further assist housing organizations in thedevelopment of their plans for Year 2000 conversion. The workbookcan be downloaded from HUD's Web site athttp://www.hud.gov/cio/year2000

Computer systems around the world are being updated to prepareforthe arrival of the Year 2000 (Y2K), because some computers, softwareand devices with embedded microchips recognize only two-digit years.If these systems aren't fixed, they won't work properly in 2000,whenthey will assume the "00" at the end of the year means it is 1900.HUD has already prepared all of its own computer systems for Y2K.HUD is releasing the video as part of Small Business Y2K ActionWeek, which will take place March 29-April 2. The Action Week is anationwide program of Year 2000 seminars, discussions and travelingevents produced by federal agencies and associations. It issponsored by the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion and theSmall Business Administration.HUD will broadcast the video via satellite on March 30 at 2 p.m.EST. The broadcast will be followed by a live phone-in question andanswer session with a panel of Y2K and public housing experts.Coordinates for the satellite broadcast are: Telstar 4 (C-Band),Transponder 11, 3920 Mhz., Vertical, 89 Degrees West.In addition to the satellite broadcast, HUD will also "webcast"the video on its Internet site at http://www.hud.gov/webcastsThe 30-minute video explains step-by-step ways that housingorganizations can adapt their technology to Y2K by:1) Identifying core business functions;2) Assessing Y2K vulnerabilities;3) Determining a temporary contingency plan for critical functionsin the event of a computer shutdown;4) Finding solutions for non-compliant computer functions.