HUD ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FAIR HOUSING SPEAKS AT ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING IN SIOUX FALLS
Grant Award to Fair Housing of the Dakotas for $220,545

SIOUX FALLS - Kim Kendrick, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Fair
Housing and Equal Opportunity addressed attendees today at HUD’s Fair Housing Accessibility Training. The Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST program promotes compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements to make housing accessible to all persons, especially those with disabilities. Ms. Kendrick stressed the importance of equal housing for all individuals.

“In April this nation celebrated the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act,” said Ms. Kendrick.
“Forty years later, an alarming number of families are still being denied housing and still need the protections this landmark law offers.”

Following her remarks, Ms. Kendrick presented a check to Ms. Amy Nelson, Executive Director of Fair Housing of the Dakotas, for $220,545 representing the 3-year grant award made recently from HUD. Fair Housing of the Dakotas provides fair housing enforcement, education, and outreach activities in North and South Dakota.

HUD’s annual report on fair housing released in April showed that more than 10,000 people nationwide filed housing discrimination complaints last year. Most were from persons with disabilities. HUD also found that race-based housing discrimination was the second most frequent reason individuals filed complaints. You can view the report here: www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/library/FairHousing-FY2007AnnualReport.pdf

People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1(800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing.

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HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.