HUD AWARDS $26 MILLION IN GRANTS TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
98 local agencies to receive Fair Housing Initiatives Program Funding Fair Housing Of The Dakotas received $220,540.66

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $26.3 million to 98 fair housing organizations and other non-profit agencies in 37 states and the District of Columbia to assist people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

Fair Housing of the Dakotas (FHD) received a Private Enforcement Initiative Grant of $220,540.66. FHD is a non-profit organization serving both North and South Dakota and is located in Bismarck, North Dakota.

The grants announced today 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 Trasvina, 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."

The categories grants were awarded in are:

• Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) - HUD awarded $21.1 million to help groups investigate
  alleged housing discrimination, and enforce the Fair Housing Act and state and local laws that are
  substantially equivalent to the Act.
  
• Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) - HUD awarded $3.1 million to groups that educate
  the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under federal, state, and local fair
  housing laws.
  
• Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) - HUD awarded $2.1 million to groups that serve rural
  and immigrant populations in areas where there currently is no existing fair housing organization, or are otherwise underserved.

The awards include $3 million to eight groups to conduct enforcement and education and outreach activities that
will address lending discrimination.

A list of all grant recipients is listed at www.hud.gov.

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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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.