Montana Fair Housing Conference

From left: Montana Fair Housing Board Member Beth Burk, Montana Fair Housing Executive Director Pam Bean, Regional Administrator Rick M. Garcia, Field Office Director Erik Amundson, and Board Member John Pavao with ceremonial check

Two grantees received awards from HUD for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP).

On April 6, 2011, Regional Administrator Rick M. Garcia recognized those grantees at the Montana Fair Housing Conference in Butte. He presented a ceremonial check for $176,652 to Montana Fair Housing.

The grantees, Montana Fair Housing and The City of Billings, will use these funds to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, educate the public and the housing industry of their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, and work to promote equal housing opportunities. These two grant recipients were the only successful applicants in the entire six-state region.

Just last month the Department announced over $40 million in FHIP grants to 108 fair housing organizations and non-profits across the country. This year's awards represent a $13.2 million increase from last year. The record increase in support demonstrates the Administration's firm commitment to ending housing discrimination in the United States.

The Montana Fair Housing Conference featured many prominent speakers and also served as a kickoff for Fair Housing Month. Every April, people from across the country celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act. It is an opportunity to reflect on how far we've come, how far we still have to go, and to reaffirm HUD's commitment to fair and decent housing in inclusive, sustainable communities for all.

This year's Fair Housing Month simple two-word theme, "Live Free" captures the purpose of the Fair Housing Act in that every person in America has the right to live where they choose, free from housing discrimination. It guarantees that, under law, all people can live where they want, regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

Regional Administrator Garcia encouraged attendees to recognize Fair Housing Month as a time to reflect on the values that sustain our country and reaffirm our national commitment to equal housing opportunity. He also said HUD could not enforce the Fair Housing Act in all of our programs without the dedication and support of our fair housing partners. To conclude, Mr. Garcia thanked everyone for their work they are doing to fight housing discrimination in Montana and across the region.

If you have questions or need further information, please feel free to contact the Denver Regional Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 877-7353.