HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $300,000 TO DELAWARE TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded today $311,807 to Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., in Wilmington in an effort to reduce housing discrimination. This funding is part of $38.3 million HUD awarded to 95 fair housing organizations and other nonprofit 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."

Jane C.W. Vincent, Regional Administrator of HUD's Mid-Atlantic region, 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."

Project Summary:

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) will use its grant to reduce the instances of housing discrimination in 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 an expanded testing program, which will be 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 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in Delaware.

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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.