| HUD Region V No. 12-012
Laura J. Feldman (312) 913-8332 Follow us on Twitter @HUDMidwest |
For
Release Thursday February 9, 2012 |
HUD AWARDS NEARLY $475,000 TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN INDIANA
CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has awarded nearly $475,000 to Indiana agencies 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."
"These grants will help Indiana agencies conduct fair housing education, outreach activities and training to help protect the rights and affirm the values of a diverse and inclusive society," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.
The Indiana Grants are as follows:
| FHAP Agency | Partner | Amount |
|
| Evansville/Vanderburgh Human Relations Commission (EVHRC) | Individuals to he hired as part-time employees | $25,000 |
EVHRC will partner with two individuals to be hired as part-time employees to conduct fair housing and outreach activities, targeted to special populations including persons with disabilities, new immigrants, LGBT persons, and low-income persons. The hired employees will develop relationships with community leaders to educate them of fair housing rights, and will speak to neighborhood associations, civic groups, student groups, homeless shelters, realtors, associations, apartment association, the Juan Diego Latino Center, and the Evansville Housing Authority to provide the groups with fair housing training. |
| Gary Human Relations Commission (GHRC) | Continuum Care Network of Northwest Indiana | $44,820 |
GHRC will partner with Continuum Care Network of Northwest Indiana to conduct fair housing education and outreach activities, focusing on persons with disabilities and the homeless/at risk homeless individuals. GHRC and Continuum Care Network will conduct fair housing training sessions that will reach 300-500 people and will distribute 1,600 fair housing information packets. |
| Hammond Human Relations Commission (HHRC) | City of Hammond Housing Authority | $75,000 |
HHRC will partner with the City of Hammond Housing Authority to further fair housing outreach and education in the city of Hammond. Fair housing presentations will be given at all of the properties operated by the Housing Authority. Fair housing education and outreach trainings will be provided to special populations including persons with disabilities, LGBT persons, Women against Violence and other groups. |
| Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) | Ball State University, Butler University, Indiana Department of Education, GoldenMoon TV, WEDJ-FM | $250,000 |
ICRC will partner with Ball State University, Butler University, the Indiana Department of Education, GoldenMoon TV, WEDJ-FM, and Asher Advertising to conduct a state-wide fair housing education and outreach campaign targeting under-represented minority groups, including Hispanics and Burma refugees. At the universities, ICRC will work with students and faculty in Telecommunications and Creative Media/Entertainment departments to develop cutting edge and effective fair housing radio and TV PSAs. Working with GoldenMoon TV in Ft. Wayne, ICRC will develop multiple PSAs in Burmese. With WEDJ-FM in Indianapolis, ICRC will develop and disseminate multiple PSAs in Spanish. |
| South Bend Human Rights Commission (SBHRC) | St. Mary's College, South Bend Tribute Newspaper, La Casa Amistad, Gerald Foley (Human Rights Attorney) | $80,000 |
SBHRC will partner with St. Mary's College, South Bend Tribute Newspaper, La Casa Amistad, and a local human rights attorney to further fair housing education and outreach to the Hispanic and LGBT communities. Specific activities include develop ent of fair housing brochures and publications, and development of trainings that will further fair housing in South Bend. Additionally, SBHRC will develop fair housing advertisements to be broadcast on local radio and television stations. |
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 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.
Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Funding
The following agencies have received funding:
| State | Name of Agency | City | Amount |
| Indiana | Evansville/Vanderburgh Human Relations Commission (EVHRC) | Evansville | $25,000 |
| Gary Human Relations Commission (GHRC) | Gary | $44,820 |
|
| Hammond Human Relations Commission (HHRC) | Hammond | $75,000 |
|
| Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) | Indianapolis | $250,000 |
|
| South Bend Human Rights Commission (SBHRC) | South Bend | $80,000 |
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