Over $1 Million Granted to Florida to Fight Housing Discrimination
Here’s the bad news: Studies have shown that minorities pay more on Florida mortgage loans.
Here’s the good news: The Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $18.1 million in grants to 102 groups in 85 cities throughout the nation to help reduce housing discrimination. The Florida housing market received $1,024,972 in funds.
The grants, funded through HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program, will be used to investigate allegations of housing discrimination, educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, and work to promote equal housing opportunities.
Fortunately, cities such as Jacksonville have solved many of their miniority/fair housing issues. But isn’t the case everywhere.
“These grants will help us continue our efforts to educate the public and the housing industry about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act,” said Kim Kendrick, HUD’s assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “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.”
Grants were awarded under one of two initiatives:
• Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) - 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 (EOI) - 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 when it comes to national or Florida mortgage applicants.
HUD received applications from 268 groups seeking grants, a 7% increase over fiscal year 2005. Out of that group, 102 winners were chosen based on a number of criteria, which included the demonstration of results and program evaluation
