HUD AWARDS $275,000 TO OKLAHOMA CITY AGENCY TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

OKLAHOMA CITY - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $274,900 to Metropolitan Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma, Inc., located in Oklahoma City, to assist people who believe they have been
victims of housing discrimination. Nationally, a total of 98 fair housing organizations and other non-profit agencies in 37 states and the District of Columbia received $29 million in grants.

The grants announced 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.

"In 2010, the fight for fair housing across America continues. The organizations we are funding are respected and trusted groups that emerged from a very competitive process," stated John Trasviña, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing Equal Opportunity. "They will help HUD enforce the law and educate the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law."

Metropolitan Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma, Inc. received a Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grant to help investigate alleged housing discrimination, and enforce the Fair Housing Act and state and local laws that are substantially equivalent to the Act.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate approximately 10,000 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Stay on
top of the most up-to-date news regarding the Fair Housing Act by signing up for the FHEO RSS Feed.

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