The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded over $30 million to fair housing organizations across the country under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). The grants will support the efforts of national, state, and local fair housing entities working to address violations of the Fair Housing Act and to end discrimination in housing. The funding includes $1,514,987.71 for fair housing organizations in Region VI.
“HUD is committed to rooting out any and all forms of discrimination in housing, not just through words, but through real resources,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Today, we’re awarding more than $30 million to help our partners on the ground educate the public, eliminate discriminatory housing practices, and fully enforce the Fair Housing Act.”
“Fair Housing means a fair shot at the American dream. HUD Southwest collaborates closely with fair housing organizations and partners that provide to eliminate discriminatory housing practices”, said HUD Region VI Regional Administrator, Candace Valenzuela.
The grant funding will allow the grantees to provide fair housing enforcement by conducting investigations, testing to identify discrimination in the rental and sales markets, and filing fair housing complaints with HUD or substantially equivalent state and local agencies. In addition, grantees will conduct education and outreach activities to inform the public, housing providers, and local governments about rights and responsibilities that exist under the Fair Housing Act.
“The Fair Housing Initiatives Program provides crucial support and resources to eliminate housing discrimination in communities across the country including those experiencing discrimination based on religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), race and the Fair Housing Act’s other four protected classes,” said Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Although the Fair Housing Act was passed nearly fifty-six years ago, far too many people still face illegal housing discrimination. Through the collaborative efforts of HUD and its fair housing partners, we continue to make every effort to root out discrimination in housing. The funds provided today will ensure that our state and local partners have the financial resources they need to fight discriminatory practices and educate the public about their fair housing rights and responsibilities.”
HUD is awarding grants in the following categories and amounts:
Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) – This initiative funds non-profit fair housing organizations to carry out testing and enforcement activities to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices.
- HUD is awarding $16,704,250 to organizations to conduct intake, provide testing, and investigate and litigate fair housing complaints under the Fair Housing Act.
Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) – This program offers support for fair housing activities that educate the public and housing providers about equal opportunity in housing and compliance with the fair housing laws.
- HUD is awarding $9,466,207 to organizations that educate the public and housing providers about the Fair Housing Act. These grants will also support state and local organizations that enhance fair housing laws that are substantially equivalent to the Fair Housing Act.
Education and Outreach Initiative Test Coordinator Training (EOI-TCT) – FHIP is a significant source of funding for grantees that conduct fair housing testing in local communities across the country. Fair housing testing refers to the use of testers who pose as prospective renters or buyers of real estate for the purpose of determining whether housing providers, real estate agents, appraisers, lenders, and others are complying with the Fair Housing Act.
- HUD is awarding $500,000 to one organization to support fair housing training courses specifically in fair housing testing.
Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) – This program provides funding that builds the capacity and effectiveness of non-profit fair housing organizations by providing funds to handle fair housing enforcement and education initiatives more effectively. FHOI also strengthens the fair housing movement nationally by encouraging the creation and growth of organizations that focus on the rights and needs of underserved groups, particularly persons with disabilities.
- HUD is awarding $3,700,000 to nonprofit organizations to conduct fair housing enforcement related activities.
People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). More information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing and www.justice.gov.