HUD ANNOUNCES $17 MILLION TO HELP FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
In South Florida, HOPE, Inc. receives $275,000

MIAMI - Housing Opportunities for Excellence, Inc. (HOPE) received a grant of $275,000. The grant will help reach immigrant and non-English speaking residents and enforce fair housing activities. HOPE was selected by The Department of Housing and Urban Development, which awarded 88 grants totaling $17.1 million to recipients in 37 states and the District of Columbia to help fight housing discrimination.

"Last year there were a record 10,328 housing discrimination complaints filed with HUD and its state and local partners," said Kim Kendrick, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "These grants will allow us to continue with efforts to educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and
responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act."

The grants, funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program, will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, and work to promote equal housing opportunities.

This year's grants were awarded under one of two initiatives:

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate approximately 10,328 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Stay on top of the most up-to-date news regarding the Fair Housing Act
by signing up for the FHEO RSS Feed.

NOTE: A list of all the grant recipients is available on the HUD website.

Summary of local Grant:

Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc.
Private Enforcement Initiative - General Component
Award Amount: $275,000

Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc., (HOPE) will conduct a range of fair housing enforcement
activities throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Specific activities, which will be conducted in Spanish and Creole in an effort to reach immigrant and non-English speaking residents, will include carrying out and evaluating
130 fair housing tests and other investigative actions, processing more than 150 fair housing complaints, recruiting and training 35 testers, and conducting an array of Fair Housing Month activities.