HUD AWARDS GRANT TO FIGHT HOUSING AND LENDING DISCRIMINATION IN KANSAS
Record 48% increase supports local community education and enforcement efforts

KANSAS CITY, KS - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $273,007 to the Urban League of Kansas, Inc., in Wichita, to educate the public and combat housing and lending discrimination. The funding is part of $40.8 million awarded nationally to 108 fair housing organizations and non-profit agencies in 36 states and the District of Columbia. This year's total award represents a $13.2 million increase over last year's award and
includes $10 million to fund activities that address lending discrimination, including mortgage rescue scams.

The Urban League of Kansas, Inc. in Wichita will use its grant to expand its existing comprehensive housing
strategies in South Central Kansas to also include services to communities in Southwestern Kansas, an area currently lacking in services. The agency will accomplish this objective through activities that provide direct assistance to victims of fraudulent or predatory mortgage rescue schemes as well as the Fair Housing Act, financial literacy, credit education and foreclosure prevention and mitigation. Two bilingual counselors will be hired to implement the program and all information will be offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

"The grant to the Urban League of Kansas demonstrates the Administration's commitment to ending housing discrimination and providing support to families in South Central and Southwestern Kansas victimized by mortgage scams," said HUD Regional Administrator Derrith Watchman-Moore. "It will serve rural and immigrant populations in areas lacking existing fair housing organizations, or otherwise underserved and it helps HUD enforce the Fair Housing Act and make the public more aware of their fair housing rights."

The grant is funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and 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.

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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 and espanol.hud.gov.