HUD AWARDS FUNDING TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN MAINE
Funding part of $21 million awarded nationwide

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $275,000 to Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc.
to assist people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination. The funding is part of $21.8 million awarded to 92 fair housing and other non-profit agencies nationwide.

The funding is being awarded under the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which helps local agencies
investigate alleged housing discrimination and enforce the Fair Housing Act and state and local laws that are substantially equivalent to the Act. Grants are also used to educate the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under federal, state and local fair housing laws.

"These Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants will help us continue our efforts to educate the public, the housing industry, real estate professionals and financial institutions about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act," said Kim Kendrick, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Our local
partners are critical not only in enforcing the law but in reinforcing the message - housing discrimination is illegal
and HUD will take action to eliminate it."

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, family
status and national origin. The Act covers the sale, rental, financing and advertising of almost all housing in the nation.

HUD and its fair housing partners investigate approximately 10,000 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.

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