FAIR HOUSING CENTER OF GREATER BOSTON AWARDED FUNDING TO HELP FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

The Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston has been awarded a $274,166 grant that will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination. This funding is part of $18.1 million being awarded nationwide by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to 102 groups in 85 cities to help reduce housing discrimination.

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

"These grants will help us continue our efforts to educate the public and housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act," said Kim Kendrick, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "No one should be denied the opportunity to live where they want because of how they look, or the religion they practice, or because they have a disability."

Grants were awarded under one of two initiatives:

• Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) - HUD awarded $13.9 million to assist groups in the
  investigation and enforcement of alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act and substantially equivalent
  state and local fair housing laws.
  
  
• Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) - HUD awarded $4.2 million to groups that educate
  the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under federal, state, and local fair
  housing laws.

The Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston was awarded a PEI grant. HUD received applications from 268 groups seeking grants, a 7 percent increase over fiscal year 2005. Out of that group, 102 winners were chosen based on
a number of criteria, which included the demonstration of results and program evaluation.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate approximately 9,000 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). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Stay on
top of the most up-to-date news regarding the Fair Housing Act by signing up for the FHEO RSS Feed.

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NOTE: For information on how the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston will implement the grant, please call
(617) 399-0491. For information on HUD's Fair Housing programs, please call (617) 994-8218.