HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $62,000 IN GRANTS TO COMBAT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN VIRGINIA

RICHMOND - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $62,757 to the Piedmont Housing Alliance to assist people in Virginia who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) will use its grant to support its Regional Fair Housing Education and Outreach Program. Activities will include: education sessions, including an annual fair housing forum including general public and audience specific (immigrants, LEP, rural, homeless, and disabled persons) sessions; education about fair housing for home seekers and realtors; education on fair housing for people with disabilities, and participation in Livable for a Lifetime, a group promoting universal design in homes and communities; and community outreach opportunities, including meetings with community partners, print, radio, and TV advertisements, articles, website/social media, outreach with faith-based organizations in the African-American and Latino communities, community event displays, regional advisory group meetings, and provision of complaint intake and compliance information.

"HUD provides the only federal grant support to private fair housing enforcement and education," said HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent. "We count this Virginia fair housing organization among our partners who help us fight housing discrimination."

The competitive grants are funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), and are part of nearly $41.18 million distributed nationwide to 99 fair housing organizations and other nonprofit agencies in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The grants will be used to enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of alleged discriminatory practices, and to educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. HUD had over $70 million in requests for FHIP, but funded only $41 million.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate more than 9,300 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).

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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 asa 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. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.