HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $200,000 TO WEST VIRGINIA TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded today $240,401 to the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Livingin Morgantown 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:

Northern West Virginia Center For Independent Living
Fair Housing Organization Initiative
Continued Development General Component - $240,401

The Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living (NWVCIL) will expand fair housing advocacy and enforcement in West Virginia. NWVCIL will continue to develop an enforcement component to increase the organization's efforts to combat the fair housing education and enforcement impediments noted in the Morgantown 2011 Analyses of Impediments (AI) for the state's entitlement communities. The Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh (FHP), an experienced fair housing organization, will provide NWVCIL with technical assistance to conduct 125 tests based on disability, race, national origin, and familial status in West Virginia to uncover the presence of 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.

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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.