Pub. 3 2018 Issue 1

10 www.ctaahq.org HUD AWARDS $37 MILLION TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION GRANTS WILL SUPPORT MORE THAN 150 FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE T he U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today it is awarding $37 million to fight housing discrimination under its Fa ir Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). These grants will s uppor t mor e t ha n 150 na t iona l and local fair housing organizations working to confront violations of the Fair Housing Act. These grants will allow the groups to provide Fair Housing enforcement through testing in the rental and sales market, to file Fair Housing complaints to HUD, and to conduct investigations. The education and outreach activities these organizations conduct also help to educate the public, housing providers and loca l governments about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. “Every person deserves a fair chance to live in a neighborhood free from discrimination,” said Secretary Ben Carson. “The funds announced today will allow our fair housing partners on the ground to combat housing discrimination and ensure every person has equal access to housing.” The categories of grants an - nounced today are: • Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) – $7,450,000 is awarded to organizations that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and responsibilities under federa l law. The g rants can a lso support state and local organizations that enforce fair housing laws that are equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act. • FairHousingOrganizations Initiative (FHOI) – $500,000 is awarded to help build the capacity and effectiveness of non-profit fair housing organizations, particularly organizations that focus on the rights and needs of underserved groups, such as rural and immigrant populations. • Pr ivate Enforcement Init iat ive grants (PEI) – A total of $30.35 million is awarded to organizations t h a t c ondu c t i n t a k e , t e s t i n g , investigation and litigation of fair housing complaints under the Fair Housing Act. People who believe they have been denied a reasonable accommodation reque st may f i le a compl a i nt by contacting HUD’s Off ice of Fa ir Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927- 9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Inc. EOI 125,000 Connecticut Fair Housing Center PEI 300,000 Fiscal Year 2017 Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Grants