OGDEN CITY CORPORATION AWARDED $77,310 GRANT TO HELP FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON - Ogden City Corporation today received a grant of $77,310. The grant will provide fair housing education and outreach in English and Spanish for both renters and homebuyers. Ogden City Corporation was selected by The Department of Housing and Urban Development, which awarded $18.1 million in grants to 102 groups in 85 cities throughout the nation to help reduce housing discrimination.

The grants, funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program, will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, educate the public and housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, and work to promote equal housing opportunities.

"These grants will help us continue our efforts to educate the public and housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act," said Kim Kendrick, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "No one should be denied the opportunity to live where they want because of how they look, or the religion they practice, or because they have a disability."

Grants were awarded under one of two initiatives:

• Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) - HUD awarded $13.9 million to assist groups in the investigation and enforcement of alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act and substantially equivalent state and local fair housing laws.
• Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) - HUD awarded $4.2 million to groups that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under federal, state, and local fair housing laws.

Ogden City Corporation was awarded a Education and Outreach Initiative grant which will provide fair housing education and outreach in English and Spanish for both renters and homebuyers. To do so, OCC will conduct workshops and meetings; disseminate educational materials including press releases; and participate in networking groups to educate members about the protections under the Fair Housing Act. OCC will also develop a fair housing training for landlords that focuses on the critical elements of the Fair Housing Act and how it affects business practices. Additionally, OCC will also make housing discrimination referrals to the Utah Anti-Discrimination and Labor Division and conduct train-the-trainer activities for grassroots and faith- and community-based organizations.

HUD received applications from 268 groups seeking grants, a 7% increase over fiscal year 2005, out of that group, 102 winners were chosen based on a number of criteria, which included the demonstration of results and program evaluation.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate approximately 9,000 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.

NOTE: A list of all grant recipients is available on the HUD website.

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