Funding News

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced to give $24 Million out of $56 Million to support 57 fair housing organizations via the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). These funds are given to the second and third-year grantees of the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) to continue their fair housing enforcement endeavors on a national scale. The financial support has also been extended by HUD to the disability law center making use of funds from the fiscal year 2022 budget. 

HUD’s Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said, “Unfortunately, far too many families face bias when it comes to renting and buying homes. HUD is pleased to provide our state and local partners with resources like The Fair Housing Initiatives Program that give organizations the funding they need to combat housing discrimination and help build fair and inclusive communities.”

HUD provides funds each year to support organizations enforcing the nation’s fair housing laws and policies and also educating the public about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. 

With funds, the recipients can carry out fair housing enforcement through a range of activities. The activities include conducting investigations, taking desired steps to file fair housing complaints, and implementing testing methodologies to reveal instances of discrimination in rental and sales markets. The main aim of the grantees is to educate the general public and local government bodies about their rights and obligations as outlined in the Fair Housing Act. 

There are two categories in which HUD is awarding grants: PEI and FHOI. The Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) funds non-profit housing organizations to conduct enforcement activities to prevent discriminatory housing practices. The next program is the Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) which provides funds to handle fair housing enforcement and education initiatives more efficiently. FHOI also strengthens the fair housing movement by encouraging the growth of organizations focusing on the rights of underserved groups, especially people with disabilities.