HUD AWARDS NEW ORLEANS $775,000 IN GRANTS TO COMBAT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded three grants for a total of $775,000 to the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Center to assist people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

Nationally, HUD awarded $28 million. The grants announced today are funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, and work to promote equal housing opportunities.

"The Obama Administration is committed to ending housing discrimination, and these grants enable local fair housing and community organizations all over the nation to help HUD enforce the Fair Housing Act, and make people more aware of their fair housing rights," stated HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity, John Trasviña added, "Last year, HUD filed more Fair Housing Act charges than any year since 2002. The Fair Housing Initiatives Program grantees play a vital role to enhance our civil rights law enforcement efforts."

The categories of grants awarded today are:

• Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) - HUD awarded $17.5 million to help groups investigate alleged housing discrimination, and enforce the Fair Housing Act and state and local laws that are substantially equivalent to the Act. The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Center received two grants for $650,000 in this category.
   
• Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) - HUD awarded $4.6 million to groups that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under federal, state, and local fair housing laws. The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Center received one grant for $125,000 in this category.
   
• Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) - HUD awarded $5.9 million to groups that serve rural and immigrant populations in areas where there currently is no existing fair housing organization, or are otherwise underserved. See the below for program descriptions.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate more than 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1 (800) 669-9777 (voice), or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).

Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, Inc.
Education and Outreach Initiative - General
Component - $125,000

The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (FHAC) will use its grant to continue to provide education about rights and responsibilities under the federal Fair Housing Act to housing providers, service providers, renters, homeowners, policymakers, government actors, and other stakeholders throughout Louisiana. FHAC will use this grant to conceptualize and implement an original community-based multi-media theater piece that addresses fair housing issues facing women in Louisiana; launch the Fair Housing University educational initiative and offer at least two Fair Housing University (FHU) project classes for free to members of the general public; and partner with Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST program to offer a capacity building workshop regarding fair housing protections for people with disabilities.

Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, Inc.
Private Enforcement Initiative - Mortgage Rescue
Component - $325,000

The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (FHAC) will use its grant to continue providing fair housing investigatory, enforcement, education, and outreach services with a focus on fair lending and mortgage rescue to individuals and families in the New Orleans MSA. FHAC will also continue to provide technical assistance to persons who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination, as well as investigate complaints of housing discrimination throughout Louisiana.

Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, Inc.
Private Enforcement Initiative - Multi-Year
Component - $325,000

The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (FHAC) will use its grant to provide services to individuals and families in the New Orleans MSA. As the only Qualified Fair Housing Organization in the state, FHAC will also continue to provide technical assistance to persons who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination and investigate complaints of housing discrimination throughout Louisiana.

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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 http://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.