HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $60,000 TO VIRGINIA TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded today $66,234 to Piedmont Housing Alliance in Charlottesville in an effort to reduce housing discrimination. This funding is part of $38.3 million HUD awarded to 95 fair housing organizations and other nonprofit agencies in 38 states.

Funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), these grants will help enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of alleged discriminatory practices. In addition, the funds will educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.

"Ending housing discrimination requires that we support the law of the land and protect the housing rights of individuals and families who would be denied those rights," stated HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Ensuring and promoting fair housing practices lies at the core of HUD's mission, and these grants enable community groups all over the nation to help families who are denied equal access to housing."

Jane C.W. Vincent, Regional Administrator of HUD's Mid-Atlantic region, added: "No one should be denied the opportunity to live where they want because of how they look, their faith, whether they have children or because they have a disability. These grants will help us continue our efforts to educate the public and housing industry about their housing rights and responsibilities."

Project Summary:

Piedmont Housing Alliance
Education and Outreach Initiative
General Component - $66,234

Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) will use its grant to implement a coordinated fair housing education and outreach campaign that will include extensive and inclusive community education and outreach, an accessibility compliance initiative, and complaint intake and compliance information. Specific activities will include general and targeted education sessions to raise public awareness about housing discrimination, fair housing rights and responsibilities, and equal housing opportunity for the general public and underserved populations and a fair housing forum. Fair and accessible housing education sessions will focus on fair housing for people with disabilities. PHA will participate in Livable for a Lifetime, a leadership group to promote accessibility, visitability, and universal design. Other community outreach will consist of meetings with community partners; print, radio, and TV advertisements; articles; website/social media; outreach to Latino and African-American organizations and communities; community event displays; and regional advisory group meetings.

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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.