HUD AWARDS $395,570 IN GRANTS TO FIGHT HOUSING AND LENDING DISCRIMINATION IN NEBRASKA
Record 48% increase supports local community education and enforcement efforts

OMAHA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $395,570 to two fair housing organizations in Nebraska to educate the public and combat housing and lending discrimination. The funding is part
of $40.8 million awarded nationally to 108 fair housing organizations and non-profit agencies in 36 states and the District of Columbia. This year's total award represents a $13.2 million increase over last year's award and includes $10 million to fund activities that address lending discrimination, including mortgage rescue scams.

The Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. (FHAS), in Omaha will receive $275,000 to expand its enforcement to underserved populations of Nebraska and Western Iowa. The agency will focus on new immigrants and especially individuals/families with limited or no English skills, the homeless, returning veterans, and other persons with disabilities. Project activities will include on-site complaint intake at homeless shelters, the Salvation Army, YWCA offices, faith-based and community-based organizations; assessment and investigation of all alleged complaints; conduct matched paired tests of rental/sales/lending complaints; maintain a 24-hour toll free hotline and internet website to assist rural areas of Nebraska; and education and outreach services to the general public and fair
housing training to staff of community agencies.

The High Plains Community Development Corp., Inc., in Chadron will receive $120,570 to build on an array of
education and outreach activities in Western Nebraska, including fair housing outreach and education through fair housing fairs and presentations; assisting other groups with community presentations; conducting outreach to
those with disabilities; providing educational information regarding mortgage rescues; and working with municipal governments to remove barriers to affordable housing. In addition, knowledge sharing through educational presentations will assist those in the real estate and lending industries regarding discriminatory and predatory practices to improve their overall knowledge of fair housing laws and illustrate that they are enforceable in rural
areas.

"The grants awarded in Nebraska demonstrate the Administration's commitment to ending housing discrimination and providing support to families in Western Nebraska," said HUD Regional Administrator Derrith Watchman-Moore. "The funding will help HUD enforce the Fair Housing Act and make the public, especially in rural communities, more aware
of their fair housing rights."

The grants announced today are funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, and work to promote equal housing opportunities.

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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 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.