HUD AWARDS ARIZONA FUNDS TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has awarded $152,329 to Arizona Office of the Attorney General (AAG) to enforce fair housing laws and help communities and housing providers to better understand their fair housing rights and responsibilities. The funds, part of more than $7.5 million distributed nationwide today, will also be used to promote the Department's new Equal Access to Housing regulation, which ensures that HUD housing and programs are open to all families, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

"Today's announcement demonstrates the Obama Administration's commitment to ending housing discrimination, no matter what form it takes," said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.  "With these funds, state and local government agencies on the front line of the fight will be able to continue their efforts to take on today's many fair housing challenges."

$138,650 - AAG will partner with the law firms of Brancart & Brancart and Bade & Baskin to litigate systemic, dual-filed fair housing complaints involving cities and service providers who refused to provide municipal services, including water and power, to people who were not members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.

$13,679 - AAG will partner with Legal Services, DNA People's Legal Services, and Southern Arizona Legal Aid to extend AAG's reach in fair housing education and outreach to people living in rural areas and other underserved parts of the state. Partnership funds will be used to train lawyers about fair housing issues, and to produce fair housing training manuals, brochures, and posters.

In awarding the funds, which are provided through HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), HUD is responding to requests and suggestions from state and local government agencies that are seeking to partner with organizations that will assist in fair housing enforcement and outreach. The funds will help local communities learn more about their fair housing rights and housing providers meet their fair housing obligations, including those related to HUD's new Equal Access to Housing regulation.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing asa platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.