HUD grants $18.1 million to 102 groups in United States

According to a HUD news release, groups in Missouri are slated to get $100,000 of the funds, though the names and locations of the receiving entities in Missouri were not disclosed.

The grants are through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program, and they will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, to educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, and to promote equal housing opportunities.

“People should not be denied the opportunity to live where they want because of how they look, or the religion they practice, or because they have a disability,” said Kim Kendrick, HUD’s assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity, in the release.

The grants were awarded under one of two initiatives:

• Private Enforcement Initiative grants. HUD awarded $13.9 million to assist groups in the investigation and enforcement of alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act and substantially equivalent state and local fair housing laws.

• Education and Outreach Initiative grants. HUD awarded $4.2 million to groups that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and obligations under federal, state, and local fair-housing laws.

HUD received applications from 268 groups seeking grants, a 7 percent increase compared to fiscal 2005. The 102 recipients were chosen based on a number of criteria, including demonstrated results and program evaluation.