HUD AWARDS $775,000 TO LOUISIANA TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded three grants totaling $775,000 to the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center in Louisiana in an effort to reduce housing discrimination. This funding is part of $38.3 million HUD awarded today 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."

Regional Administrator Tammye Treviño 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."

FHIP Grants in Louisiana

Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, Inc.
FY11 Private Enforcement Initiative
Multi-Year Component - $325,000

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

Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
Fair Housing Organization Initiative
Lending Discrimination - $325,000

The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC) will use its grant to build its capacity to provide fair lending services throughout Southeast Louisiana, with a particular focus on New Orleans. Fair housing investigations and enforcement in relation to mortgage lending discrimination and mortgage modification scams will include testing and systemic investigations, complaint intake and referral, and case management. GNOFHAC will assist clients facing foreclosure, because of probable violations of the Fair Housing Act, with housing counseling and foreclosure prevention assistance. Lastly, GNOFHAC will conduct education and outreach on the Fair Housing Act and other consumer protection laws, including information sessions, television or radio appearances, and prospective homebuyer education on predatory lending.

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

The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC) will use its grant to provide fair housing education, outreach, and referral services in the greater New Orleans metro area. Specifically, GNOFHAC will conduct student/teacher fair housing workshops based on the children's book The Fair Housing Five & the Haunted House, and distribute the book to all schools serving elementary and middle school age students in Orleans Parish. GNOFHAC will provide housing discrimination and financial management training to prospective homebuyers and develop a curriculum and course materials to train small landlords; and a second to train Louisiana tenants. They will further develop an online curriculum and course materials and obtain continuing education certification to provide fair housing training to architects and Louisiana realtors. In addition, GNOFHAC will produce a fair housing summit and events for Fair Housing Month and maintain a fair housing blog on GNOFHAC's website.

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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.