HUD AWARDS $415,000 TO ARIZONA TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $415,116 to two fair housing organizations in Tucson, Arizona, in an effort to reduce housing discrimination. This funding is part of $38.3 million HUD awarded today to 95 fair housing organizations and other non-profit agencies in 38 states.

Funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), these grants will help enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of alleged discriminatory practices. In addition, the funds will educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.

"Ending housing discrimination requires that we support the law of the land and protect the housing rights of individuals and families who would be denied those rights," stated HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Ensuring and promoting Fair Housing practices lies at the core of HUD's mission and these grants enable community groups all over the nation to help families who are denied equal access to housing."

HUD Regional Administrator Ophelia Basgal added: "No one should be denied the opportunity to live where they want because of how they look, their faith, whether they have children or because they have a disability. These grants will help us continue our efforts to educate the public and housing industry about their housing rights and responsibilities."

The two Arizona recipients are located in Tucson:

Southwest Fair Housing Council

FY12 Private Enforcement Initiative -

Multi-Year Component - $311,245

The Southwest Fair Housing Council (SWFHC) will use its grant to provide full service fair housing enforcement across the state of Arizona. Activities will include testing, investigation, and resolution of fair housing complaints with an emphasis on fair housing enforcement on behalf of refugee through a partnership with the International Refugee Committee in Tucson. SWFHC will also provide fair housing services for active military personnel and veterans through collaboration with Davis Monthan Air Force Base that includes counseling to combat mortgage modification and foreclosure scams experienced by active service personnel and veterans. Further, the organization also will provide statewide fair housing training to consumers, housing providers, government entities, nonprofits and others.

Southwest Fair Housing Council

Education and Outreach Initiative -

General Component - $103,871

The Southwest Fair Housing Council (SWFHC) will use this grant to continue fair housing and lending education and outreach in the Metropolitan Phoenix Area and expand into Apache and Navajo Counties to support the Fair Housing and Equity Assessment as part of Regional Plan for Sustainable Development in that area. The project will include fair housing workshops, presentations, clinics and training for housing providers and consumers as well as public and private agencies. SWFHC will also conduct individual counseling to assist homeowners at risk for discrimination. When appropriate, referrals for possible fair housing and lending complaints will be made to the HUD, the State Attorney General's Office, and the City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department.

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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 as a 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.