The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today (October 15, 2014) that it has awarded $38.3 million to more than 100 fair housing organizations in 43 states and the District of Columbia to address housing discrimination.
The competitive grants are provided to assist local organizations with fair housing act enforcement through investigations and testing. Some of the states and service areas awarded grants include:
*Connecticut (Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Hartford);
*Delaware (Community Legal Aid Society, Wilmington);
*District of Columbia (National Fair Housing Alliance);
*Georgia (Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc., Atlanta);
*Maryland (Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc., Baltimore);
*New Hampshire (New Hampshire Legal Assistance, Concord);
*North Carolina (Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, and Legal Aid of NC, Raleigh); and
*Virginia (Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Richmond).
A number of states received multiple grants, including California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
Owners and managers of properties throughout the United States are reminded that all properties are subject to testing by fair housing organizations. Being proactive with regard to fair housing policies and employee training is the best way to prevent being found in violation of federal, state or local fair housing laws.