HUD AWARDS A $307,500 GRANT TO COMBAT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN DELAWARE

WILMINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $307,500 to the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. to assist people in Delaware who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) will use its grant to reduce the instances of housing discrimination against members of the protected classes in the State of Delaware through increased enforcement efforts. CLASI will continue activities conducted under previous PEI grants, with greater emphasis on the investigation of systemic fair housing violations through expanded testing programs, conducted with the assistance of the University of Delaware's Center for Community Research and Services (CCRS). CLASI will also collaborate with other housing advocates in the state to implement recommendations in the recently released Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in Delaware. Further, CLASI will conduct fair housing tests under this project.

"HUD provides the only federal grant support to private fair housing enforcement and education," said HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent. "We count the Community Legal Aid Society among our partners who help us fight housing discrimination."

The competitive grants are funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), and are part of nearly $41.18 million distributed nationwide to 99 fair housing organizations and other nonprofit agencies in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The grants will be used to enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of alleged discriminatory practices, and to educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. HUD had over $70 million in requests for FHIP, but funded only $41 million.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate more than 9,300 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).

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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.