HUD AWARDS $271,000 TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

BOSTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $271,061 to New Hampshire Legal Assistance 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 nonprofit 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 New England Regional Administrator, Barbara Fields 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."

New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) will use its grant to sustain and expand its statewide fair housing operation. NHLA will conduct systemic testing and provide phone-assisted counsel and advice or full legal representation, as applicable. The organization will expand its work to identify and develop cases and strategies that help address systemic issues identified in the New Hampshire Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. NHLA will also work to reinforce obligations of affirmatively furthering fair housing, and to build fair housing capacity and knowledge. Founded in 1971, NHLA is a statewide legal aid organization dedicated to providing high quality legal services to vulnerable low-income and elderly clients. NHLA has received statewide recognition for the expertise of its attorneys in fair housing law, landlord/tenant law, state and federal housing subsidy regulations, and homelessness prevention.

###

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 @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.