HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $240,000 TO FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATION TO COMBAT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $240,401 to the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living to assist people in Morgantown who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

"Our local partners are essential to ending housing discrimination," said Jane C.W. Vincent, HUD's Regional Administrator of the Mid-Atlantic region. "This grant will enable this organization to help HUD enforce fair housing laws and make people more aware of their rights."

The grant announced today is 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.

The Fair Housing Organizations Initiative is the grant award category. HUD also awarded $959,598 in this category to groups in Indiana, North Carolina and Texas that serve rural and immigrant populations in areas where there currently is no existing fair housing organization, or otherwise underserved.

People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to www.hud.gov/fairhousing or by downloading HUD's free housing discrimination mobile application, which can be accessed through Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Project Description

Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living

Fair Housing Organization Initiative - Continued Development General Component

The Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living (NWVCIL) will use its grant to continue to develop its enforcement capabilities in the state and address systemic discrimination in design and construction of multifamily housing. The Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh (FHP) will provide NWVCIL with technical assistance to conduct testing to uncover discrimination, assist individuals who are experiencing discrimination, and allow NWVCIL to document and analyze patterns of discrimination to assist communities to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing. NWVCIL has been working since 2007 to heighten public awareness about housing discrimination and to provide education and outreach to housing professionals and members of protected classes.

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