HUD AWARDS $167,900 TO MONTANA TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $167,900 to a fair housing organization in Montana 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."

HUD Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator, Rick M. Garcia 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."

Montana Fair Housing, Inc. (MFH) will use its grant to eliminate the impediments to fair housing outlined in Montana's State Analysis of Impediments. Activities will include intake and the mediation of cases. MFH will provide enhanced enforcement services through complaint investigation activities including testing and other research activities to identify discriminatory housing practices, and the monitoring of the design and construction of multi-family buildings.

Also, MFH activities include the referral of meritorious claims to HUD. MFH will provide educational opportunities for advocates, housing consumers, and housing providers; distribute a list of housing accessible/adaptable for persons with mobility limitations, and work with other organizations serving protected class members to affirmatively further fair housing.

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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 asa 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 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.