By KIMBERLEY HAAS
Officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are making an additional $3,285,353 in American Rescue Plan funding available to help fight housing discrimination related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement was made on Tuesday and according to a press release, this is the third round of American Rescue Plan funding that targets COVID-19 related discrimination.
About $16.1 million in funding has been awarded to 62 HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program agencies to address the impact the pandemic has had on communities of color, low-income communities, and other vulnerable populations.
Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reveal inequities in housing opportunities for many communities.
“Our fair housing partners will utilize these additional funds to oppose discriminatory practices and safeguard housing rights for American families,” McCain said.
The money is being awarded through FHIP’s Private Enforcement Initiative and organizations that qualify will be able to use the money to conduct housing enforcement, as well as provide education and outreach activities.
Funding can also be used to respond to housing inquiries, conduct fair housing testing, provide legal assistance, and cover costs associated with providing services related to the pandemic.
Applicants who are interested in applying for this new funding should go to www.Grants.gov to obtain a copy of the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity, forms, instructions, and other application materials. Additional information can be found on HUD’s website, www.hud.gov.
Applications must be received by May 5, 2022.
People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 1-800-669-9777.
In March, officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $2.65 billion in funding for roughly 7,000 local homeless housing and service programs throughout the country.
HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said that access to stable housing is a basic necessity and the safety of a home is essential as the United States continues to fight COVID.
“These Continuum of Care program grants, coupled with the historic resources in the American Rescue Plan, will deliver communities the resources needed to ensure that every person in a respective community has the equitable opportunity to a safe and stable home,” Fudge said in a statement.
The FY 2021 Continuum of Care Competition Awards will provide funding to communities to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness move into permanent housing with access to supportive services.
Email story ideas to Editor Kimberley Haas: [email protected]