The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Jan. 23 it is awarding nearly $1.9 million to Michigan to fight housing discrimination under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). These grants will support 8 fair housing organizations across Michigan. Nationally, $37 million was awarded to assist more than 150 national and local fair housing organizations working to confront violations of the Fair Housing Act.
These grants will allow the groups to provide Fair Housing enforcement through testing in the rental and sales market, to file Fair Housing complaints to HUD, and to conduct investigations. The education and outreach activities these organizations conduct also help to educate the public, housing providers and local governments about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.
The grants are given in several categories:
—Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) – $7,450,000 is awarded nationally to organizations that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and responsibilities under federal law. The grants can also support state and local organizations that enforce fair housing laws equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act.
—Fair Housing Organi-zations Initiative (FHOI) – $500,000 is awarded to help build the capacity and effectiveness of non-profit fair housing organizations, particularly organizations that focus on the rights and needs of underserved groups, such as rural and immigrant populations.
—Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) – A total of $30.35 million is awarded nationally to organizations that conduct intake, testing, investigation and litigation of fair housing complaints under the Fair Housing Act.
The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan was the recipient of a $125,000 EOI grant and a $300,000 PEI grant, making it the housing organization in the state receiving the largest amount of HUD grant money by a small margin.
“Every person deserves a fair chance to live in a neighborhood free from discrimination,” said Secretary Ben Carson. “The funds announced today will allow our fair housing partners on the ground to combat housing discrimination and ensure every person has equal access to housing.”
“Ending housing discrimination is at the core of our mission at HUD,” said HUD Midwest Regional Administrator Joseph P. Galvan. “This funding in Michigan will help support community-based organizations that are on the front lines in the fight for equity in our nation’s housing market.”
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