The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $125,000 to support fair housing organizations working to help end housing discrimination.
HUD said the funds are provided through its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) to help people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination and to educate housing providers about fair housing laws.
HUD awarded $125,000 to The Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia, Inc. to expand its capacity to respond to increased volume of complaint inquires and allegations of discrimination during the coronavirus pandemic and reduce discrimination against protected classes in Greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley, PA.
The Fair Housing Council plans to use the grant to screen 200 complaint inquiries; provide information, advice, or referrals to 100 consumers with landlord tenant complaints; process 100 allegations of housing discrimination; assist 15 people with disabilities requesting reasonable accommodation or modifications; and refer 20 complaints to HUD, the U.S. Department of Justice, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) or private attorneys.
In total, HUD said $16 million has been awarded in Private Enforcement Initiative – American Rescue Plan funding through two previous rounds to 62 Qualified Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations and Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations.
HUD said another $3.3 million will be made available to eligible applicants in the future. Applicants who are interested in applying for funding should go to www.Grants.gov to sign up to receive notifications about the application process.
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