HUD to Award $40M in Grants

HUD to Award $40M in Grants

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday that it will award $40 million to help nonprofit organizations address fair housing violations across the U.S. and combat housing discrimination. The National Association of REALTORS® was quick to commend HUD’s action.

“HUD is committed to supporting efforts to rid discrimination from our society,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in a statement. “The grants we are awarding will enable our fair housing partner organizations to combat unlawful policies and behavior and foster practices that ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable housing, free from discrimination.”

More than $1 million is being awarded to locations that are designated as underserved by the qualified opportunity zone program. That program aims to stimulate long-term investments in low-income communities through tax breaks.

“Given the economic circumstances many Americans may face in the coming weeks, NAR commends HUD and Secretary Carson for taking steps to quickly put money in the hands of nonprofit organizations defending those who could face the brunt of this economic disruption,” Vince Malta, NAR’s 2020 president, said in a statement. “Emerging from challenging times stronger and more resolved will require countless Americans to step up and do what they can to help those in need, and we thank HUD for taking swift, decisive action to help us on that path.”

The grants are designed to help those who believe they’ve been a victim of housing discrimination and to increase fair housing education. The grants are being awarded through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program and Fair Housing Assistance Program. The funding will allow agencies to provide fair housing enforcement in the rental and sales markets, file fair housing complaints with HUD, and conduct investigations. The grants will also go to support education and outreach activities to educate the public, housing providers, and local governments about the rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.

Learn more about the available grants and view a breakdown of the amounts awarded to local organizations by state at HUD.gov.

Source:
Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.