HUD RELEASES MORE THAN $13 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Funds will support the efforts of fair housing enforcement organizations

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is providing $13.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to enable 51 HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) agencies to conduct a range of fair housing enforcement and education and outreach activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the activities that will be conducted by the organizations is addressing discriminatory practices in underserved communities.

"Discriminatory policies have no place in a nation struggling to deal with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Demetria McCain, HUD's Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "The funds being provided today highlight HUD's commitment to supporting the efforts of our many partners working to combat unlawful practices that jeopardize a family's housing security."

The funds, which are being awarded under FHIP's Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) component, are the first ARP competitive grants in FHEO that focus directly on the unequal impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on communities of color, low-income communities, and other vulnerable populations. Specific activities that will be carried out include responding to housing inquiries, investigating fair housing complaints, conducting fair housing testing, providing legal assistance, conducting education and outreach, and covering costs associated with providing services related to the pandemic.

Another $5,757,663 in ARP funding will be made available to eligible applicants that did not receive funding in this first round.

The following organizations are receiving funding:

2021 FHIP PEI-ARP AWARD WINNERS

People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (Relay). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to hud.gov/fairhousing.

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