HUD Archives: News Releases

HUD AWARDS NEARLY $1.2 MILLION TO MICHIGAN TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded 4 grants worth $1,166,738 to fair housing organizations in Michigan 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 non-profit 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."

"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," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.

See below for list of organizations, amount of grant and how the funds will be used.

###

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. 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.

Michigan

Ann Arbor

Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan
FY11 Private Enforcement Initiative -
Multi-Year Component - $275,765

The Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan (FHC-Southeast) will use its grant to provide services in Washtenaw, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, and Monroe counties. FHC-Southeast will continue to assist residents with reasonable accommodations and make important gains in litigation and testing on behalf of women facing sexual harassment, people with disabilities, complainants suffering retaliation, victims of domestic violence, and same-sex couples. These services will be targeted using systematic testing, advertising, advocate trainings, and referrals for legal aid.

Detroit

Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit
FY11 Private Enforcement Initiative -
Multi-Year Component - $299,525

Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit (FHCMD) will use its grant to continue work for effective resolutions of complaints of discrimination. The HUD FHIP/PEI funds will be used to conduct investigations of 180 complaints; that FHCMD will conduct 270 fair housing tests in relation to those 180 complaints; that those investigations, and other investigations conducted by FHCMD, will provide sufficient basis to refer 180 complainants to administrative agencies and 15 of the cases will have sufficient evidence to warrant referral to FHCMD Cooperating Attorneys for administrative and/or possible court action.

Flint

Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
FY11 Private Enforcement Initiative -
Multi-Year Component -$266,448

Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (LSEM) will use its grant to address the needs of low-income and disabled individuals who have experienced housing-related discrimination. LSEM will offer a full range of fair housing testing and enforcement services in four of its service counties, and complaint-based fair housing services in 10 counties. Activities will include comprehensive fair housing testing activities; fair housing education and outreach; targeted investigations; and the filing of an enforcement proposal.

Grand Rapids

Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
FY11 Private Enforcement Initiative -
Multi-Year Component - $325,000

The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan (FHCWM) will use its grant to provide comprehensive fair housing enforcement services in a 12-county service area in west Michigan and fair housing services to two-thirds of Michigan as needed. Activities will include working the rental and homeownership markets to provide fair housing enforcement and related services to people within all federally protected classes. The FHCWM will undertake activities specifically targeted toward expanding previous FHIP funded activities and conducting systemic investigations of housing discrimination.