HUD: $54M for Fair Housing – $2.9M Goes to Fla.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $54 million to 182 fair housing organizations across the country under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP).

The grants provide $28,200,000 to support national, state and local fair housing entities working to address violations of the Fair Housing Act.

In addition, HUD provided $26,350,000 in funding to its second and third year Private Enforcement Initiative grantees to continue fair housing enforcement efforts nationwide.

“The Fair Housing Initiatives Program puts money into communities to help them root out discrimination in housing,” says HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “I am pleased to provide our state and local partners with the resources they need to combat inequity and build a fairer, more inclusive country for all.”

Types of grants

• Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) – Funds non-profit fair housing organizations that carry out testing and enforcement activities to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices.
• Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) – 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.
• Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) – Provides funding that builds the capacity and effectiveness of non-profit fair housing organizations to handle fair housing enforcement and education initiatives more effectively.

Florida agencies that will receive funding

• Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
  o EOI – Striving for Equity $100,000.00
  o EOI – Targeted $100,000.00
  o PEI – Multi Year (Year 2) $425,000.00
• Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches
  o PEI – Multi Year $425,000.00
• Florida Legal Services
  o EOI – General $125,000.00
  o FHOI – Continued Development $250,000.00
• Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence (HOPE)
  o PEI – Multi Year (Year 3) $425,000.00
• Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence
  o General – $125,000.00
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
  o EOI – General $125,000.00
  o PEI – Multi Year (Year 3) $425,000.00
• Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
  o PEI – Multi Year (Year 3) $425,000.00

“As we prepare to recognize the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act next month, we know we have more work to do in the fight against housing discrimination,” says Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. “The funds provided today will ensure that our state and local partners have the financial resources they need to continue educating the public and opposing discriminatory practices in the communities they serve.”

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