HUD awards Arizona with $425K in housing discrimination grants
Apr 19, 2019, 4:01 PM | Updated: 4:49 pm
(UMOM Photo)
(UMOM Photo)
PHOENIX — Helping curb housing discrimination in the state, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Wednesday that HUD had awarded an Arizona fair housing organization with two 2018 grants.
The Southwest Fair Housing Council was awarded two grants, a private enforcement initiative grant and an education and outreach initiative grant, totaling $425,000.
“Even though the Fair Housing Act became the law of the land 51 years ago, housing discrimination continues to this day,” HUD secretary Ben Carson said in a press release.
“HUD will continue to confront housing discrimination in all its forms and advance our mission of safe, affordable housing free from discrimination.”
The grants are provided through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program, which helps people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination and educates both the public and housing providers on housing laws.
The $300,000 private enforcement initiative grant, provides the organization the ability to investigate claims to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices.
The $125,000 education and outreach initiative grant helps with educating the public and housing providers about their responsibilities and rights under the federal law or state and local fair housing laws equivalent to the Fair Housing Act.
Anyone who has experienced housing discrimination can file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 800-669-9777 or 800-827-9275.
