HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $143,000 IN A GRANT TO COMBAT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON – May 28, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $143,571.00 to the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living to assist people in West Virginia who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.
The Northern West Virginia Center For Independent Living (NWVCIL) will use its grant to mitigate West Virginia’s lack of fair housing enforcement and advocacy and address systemic discrimination in design and construction of multifamily housing. The Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh (FHP), a qualified experienced fair housing organization, will provide NWVCIL the technical assistance needed to conduct tests based on disability, race, national origin, and familial status across West Virginia. These tests will 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 AFFH.
“HUD provides the only federal grant support to private fair housing enforcement and education,” said HUD Regional Administrator Jane C. W. Vincent. “We count this West Virginia fair housing organization among our partners who help us fight housing discrimination.”
The competitive grants are funded through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), and are part of nearly $41.18 million distributed nationwide to 99 fair housing organizations and other nonprofit agencies in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The grants will be used to enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of alleged discriminatory practices, and to educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. HUD had over $70 million in requests for FHIP, but funded only $41 million.
FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate more than 9,300 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).
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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 theneed for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; buildinclusive 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 http://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.
Contact:
(215) 430-6622
