HUD AWARDS $325,000 TO NEBRASKA TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

KANSAS CITY, KS - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $325,000 to one fair housing organization in Nebraska 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."

Deputy Regional Administrator, Theresa Porter 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."

Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. (FHAS) will use its grant to serve Nebraska and western Iowa with broad-based, full service activities. These activities include on-site intake, fair housing assessments at partnering agencies. FHAS will conduct investigations and, when necessary fair housing testing. FHAS will further fair housing in the region through education and outreach services to the general public and professional fair housing enforcement training to staff of agencies; a 24-hour toll free hotline and website to assist persons throughout the states of Nebraska and Iowa with complaints of discriminatory housing actions; and work with governmental and other planning bodies 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 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.