MICHIGAN FAIR HOUSING GROUPS AWARDED $1.1 MILLION TO HELP FIGHT DISCRIMINATION

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today presented over $1.1 million to five fair housing organizations to help fight housing discrimination in Michigan. John Trasviña, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, made the grant presentations to Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit, Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, and Fair Housing Center of West Michigan (see attached list below for project descriptions).

Earlier this year, HUD awarded $26.3 million to 98 fair housing organizations and other non-profit agencies in 37 states and the District of Columbia to assist people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.

"In 2010, the fight for fair housing across America continues. The organizations we are funding are respected and trusted groups that emerged from a very competitive process," stated John Trasviña, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing Equal Opportunity. "They will help HUD enforce the law and educate the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law."

The grants announced today are 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 categories grants were awarded in are:

• Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) - HUD awarded $21.1 million to help groups investigate alleged housing discrimination, and enforce the Fair Housing Act and state and local laws that are substantially equivalent to the Act.
  
  
• Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) - HUD awarded $3.1 million to groups that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under federal, state, and local fair housing laws.
  
  
• Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) - HUD awarded $2.1 million to groups that serve rural and immigrant populations in areas where there currently is no existing fair housing organization, or are otherwise underserved.

A list of all grant recipients is listed online.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate approximately 10,000 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 online. Stay on top of the most up-to-date news regarding the Fair Housing Act by signing up for the FHEO RSS Feed.

Summary of the Fair Housing Initiative Grants in Michigan (Fiscal Year 2009)

Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
Grand Rapids
Private Enforcement Initiative - Performance Based Component - $274,603

The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan will conduct fair housing enforcement services in an eleven county area in West Michigan. Services will also be provided to two thirds of the State where there is no fair housing presence. In addition, the Center will provide enforcement services, including complaint intake, counseling, investigation and mediation; recruit and train testers; conduct matched paired tests and site accessibility tests; partner with both local, national and government agencies, HUD, faith- and community-based groups to combat fair housing practices; and provide fair housing education and outreach to over 60,000 English and non/English speaking clients.

Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit
Detroit
Private Enforcement Initiative - Performance Based Component - $180,740
The Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit will use its grant to conduct fair housing enforcement activities, including the receipt and processing of complaints; investigating fair housing tests; referring cases to Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit (FHC) attorneys for administrative court action; conducting 165 systemic tests of housing providers for referrals to HUD/DOJ for administrative enforcement; and conducting settlements. The FHC will also coordinate fair housing education and outreach activities within the Metropolitan Detroit area.

Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan Ann Arbor
Private Enforcement Initiative - Performance Based Component - $183,549
The Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan will use its grant to expand its fair housing enforcement services into three Michigan counties, Livingston, Ingham, and Jackson, while continuing services in Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe counties. Specific activities will include taking in new fair housing complaints; conducting tests; recruiting and training new testers; and gaining reasonable accommodations for disabled complainants.

Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan
Kalamazoo
Private Enforcement Initiative - General Component - $230,882
The Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan will use its grant to provide enforcement services as well as limited outreach and education. Activities will include investigating 75 new fair housing complaints; completing 100 rental/sales paired tests in connection with complaint and systemic testing; assisting persons with disabilities; recruiting 10 new fair housing testers; and gaining reasonable accommodations and/or modifications for at least 10 persons.

Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
Flint
Private Enforcement Initiative - General Component - $258,577
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan will use its grant to provide a full-range of fair housing testing and enforcement services to four counties in Mid-Michigan - Bay, Genesee, Midland, and Saginaw- which U.S. Census data and various research studies verify as having some of the highest rates of segregation in both Michigan and the country as a whole. The agency will also partner with community and faith-based agencies that assist all protected classes, local units of government, and Minority Servicing Institutions.

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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 @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.