| HUD Region V No. 12-012
Laura J. Feldman (312) 913-8332 Follow us on Twitter @HUDMidwest |
For
Release Thursday February 9, 2012 |
HUD AWARDS NEARLY $766,000 TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN OHIO
CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has awarded nearly $766,000 to Ohio agencies 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."
"These grants will help Ohio agencies conduct fair housing education, outreach activities and training to help protect the rights and affirm the values of a diverse and inclusive society," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.
The Ohio Grants are as follows:
| FHAP Agency | Partner | Amount |
|
| Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) | Coalition for Homelessness & Housing in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Development, Miami Valley Fair Housing | $230,000 |
OCRC will partner with the Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Development and Miami Valley Fair Housing conduct fair housing trainings, education, and outreach in ten underserved counties in Ohio. Trainings will focus on issues related to reasonable accommodations, reasonable modifications and 504 issues. Additionally, with its partner, OCRC will conduct a statewide fair housing conference, with expected attendance of all Ohio FHAP and FHIP agencies. Fair housing issues to be discussed at the statewide conference will include issues affecting populations such as new immigrants, LGBT persons, and persons with disabilities. |
| City of Canton Fair Housing Commission (CCFHC) | Coalition for Homelessness & Housing in Ohio | $5,000 |
CCFCH will partner with the Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio to provide fair housing education and outreach to the residents of Canton and surrounding communities. Activities include a fair housing workshop targeted to people with disabilities, a fair housing law and practice workshop for the general community, and a home seeker workshop discussing housing discrimination. |
| City of North Olmsted Fair Housing Review Board (CNOFHRB) | Housing Research & Advocacy Center | $50,000 |
CNOFHRB will partner with the Housing Research & Advocacy Center to conduct fair housing testing to determine housing accessibility for Muslims and Arabs. Additionally, CNOFHRB will conduct education and outreach among the Arab and Muslim communities, including activities such as developing a Middle Eastern Citizens Adversary Board and developing a fair housing brochure in appropriate languages to be distributed in the community. |
| City of Shaker Heights Fair Housing Review Board (CSHFHRB) | Housing Research & Advocacy Center | $40,000 |
CSHFHRB will partner with the Housing Research & Advocacy Center to conduct fair housing testing to determine the accessibility of housing options. Additionally, CSHFHRB and the Housing Research & Advocacy Board, along with an architect, will present a hand-on workshop showing how to incorporate accessible features into the rehabilitation of existing older homes, as well as train housing providers about fair housing accessibility requirements. |
| City of Shaker Heights Fair Housing Review Board (CSHFHRB) | Coalition for Homelessness & Housing in Ohio | $6,000 |
CSHFHRB will partner with the Coalition for Homelessness & Housing in Ohio to provide educational workshops on fair housing for housing providers, including landlords and management companies, tenants who may receive rent subsidies, and social support service providers who work with persons with disabilities. |
| Dayton Human Relations Council (DHRC) | Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Wright State University's Center for Urban and Public Affairs | $434,517 |
DHRC will partner with several groups to implement the City's Welcome Dayton Plan. The Miami Valley Fair Housing Center (MVFHC) will conduct fair housing educational symposia, workshops, and training in government centers, schools, churches, and community facilities. MVFHC will also conduct fair housing testing, focused on deaf and hard of hearing and LGBT communities. Advocates for Basic Legal Equality and Legal Aid of Western Ohio will provide legal education and assistance related to fair housing issues for immigrant and refugee populations to build trust and identify potential instances of housing discrimination. Recognizing that crime is barrier to fair housing and integrated neighborhoods, Wright State University's Center for Urban and Public Affairs will coordinate an effort to breakdown segregation and stabilize minority neighborhoods through improved community policing relationships. DHRC will hire two staff persons to implement and coordinate these efforts. |
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 @HUDnews, 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 agencies have received funding:
| State | Name of Agency | City | Amount |
| Ohio | City of Canton Fair Housing Commission (CCFHC) | Canton | $5,000 |
| City of North Olmsted Fair Housing Review Board (CNOFHRB) | North Olmstead | $50,000 | |
| City of Shaker Heights Fair Housing Review Board (CSHFHRB) | Shaker Heights | $40,000 | |
| City of Shaker Heights Fair Housing Review Board (CSHFHRB) | Shaker Heights | $6,000 | |
| Dayton Human Relations Council (DHRC) | Dayton | $434,517 | |
| Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) | Columbus | $230,000 |
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