HUD AWARDS TEXAS $925,000 TO FIGHT HOUSING AND LENDING DISCRIMINATION
Austin, Houston and San Antonio Receive Fair Housing Grants

FORT WORTH - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded organizations in Texas totaling $924,723 to educate the public and combat housing and lending discrimination.

Nationally, a total of $40.8 million was awarded to 108 fair housing organizations and non-profit agencies in 36 states and the District of Columbia, a $13.2 million increase over last year's award. Ten million dollars of that will fund activities that address lending discrimination, including mortgage rescue scams targeted to minorities.

"The record increase in support to local fair housing and community organizations demonstrates the Obama Administration's firm commitment to ending housing discrimination and providing help to families victimized by
mortgage scams," stated HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

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.

Grantees, amounts and activities follow:

The Austin Tenants' Council (ATC) will use its $324,723, Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grant to identify discrimination and help complainants enforce their rights under the Fair Housing Act. Additionally, it will heighten
public awareness of the continued effects of housing discrimination in the Austin area, specifically focusing on issues surrounding the rights of disabled persons, the rights of recent immigrants to the United States and the high loan denial ratios for minority homebuyers by promoting fair housing and the availability of ATC's services utilizing television, radio and print advertisements.

The Greater Houston Fair Housing Center (GHFHC) will use its $325,000 Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI)
grant to provide fair housing enforcement services in the Houston metropolitan area. Activities will include complete bilingual full service enforcement capability in English and Spanish; in-take and processing of complaints of allegations of housing discrimination; conducting of investigations; recruitment and training of testers; performance of fair housing enforcement tests and conducting media programs (English and Spanish) to promote AFFH/fair housing enforcement.

The San Antonio Fair Housing Council, Inc., will use its $275,000 Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grant to conduct preliminary investigations of fair housing discrimination claims using various testing methods, including rental, sales, and lending tests; conduct site assessments, including new constructions; assist consumers w/disabilities with reasonable accommodation and/or modification requests; and conduct meetings and training in Bexar County to promote knowledge of fair housing laws and the Council's services.

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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 and espanol.hud.gov.