HUD AWARDS $300,000 TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN NEBRASKA

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has awarded $300,196 to Omaha Human Rights and Relations Department (OHRRD) 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."

OHRRD will partner with the Fair Housing Center of NE-IA to conduct fair housing testing specifically in the areas of disability/companion animal tests along with fair housing education and training on service animals and reasonable accommodations. They will also coordinate with landlords on developing a standardized lease in five refugee languages for refugee and immigrants in the Omaha area that complies with fair housing laws. Additionally, they will partner with the Southern Sudan Community Association to utilize the expertise of the refugee resettlement agency translation services to ensure understanding within the Sudan community of fair housing rights, and the League of Human Dignity to assist in the modification of residences to make them more accessible for people with disabilities.

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 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 at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDgov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.

Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Funding

The following Nebraska agency has received funding: