HUD AWARDS $165,000 TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN NORTH DAKOTA

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has awarded $165,400 to North Dakota Department of Labor (NDDOL) to enforce fair housing laws and help communities and housing providers to better understand their fair housing rights and responsibilities. The funds, part of more than $7.5 million distributed nationwide today, will also be used to promote the Department's new Equal Access to Housing regulation, which ensures that HUD housing and programs are open to all families, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

"Today's announcement demonstrates the Obama Administration's commitment to ending housing discrimination, no matter what form it takes," said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "With these funds, state and local government agencies on the front line of the fight will be able to continue their efforts to take on today's many fair housing challenges."

HUD's Rocky Mountain Region's Administrator Rick Garcia added: "The mountain west is not immune to the practices of housing discrimination and this funding will enable local and state agencies in partnership with HUD to aggressively conduct fair housing education and outreach in our region. These funds will help to ensure that all Americans have a choice to live in HUD assisted housing regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status."

NDDOL will partner with the Legal Services of North Dakota to conduct fair housing education and outreach in Western North Dakota. Fair housing education and outreach will focus on issues pertaining to persons with disabilities, the elderly, and minorities. Activities will include conducting fair housing testing, creating public service announcements for radio and television, and distributing fair housing procedures to the general public.

In awarding the funds, which are provided through HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), HUD is responding to requests and suggestions from state and local government agencies that are seeking to partner with organizations that will assist in fair housing enforcement and outreach. The funds will help local communities learn more about their fair housing rights and housing providers meet their fair housing obligations, including those related to HUD's new Equal Access to Housing regulation.

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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.