April 18, 2023 | Categories: About FHC
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded $54 million to 182 fair housing organizations across the country under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program. The grants (announced during April which is Fair Housing Month) will support the efforts of national, state, and local fair housing groups working to address violations of the Federal Fair Housing Act in an effort to end discrimination in housing.
For Michigan, a total of $2,600,000 was awarded, with $550,000 granted to the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan.*
The grants allow organizations to conduct covert investigations to identify discrimination in the housing market, often in response to specific complaints of suspected housing bias. In addition, grantees carry out education and outreach activities to inform the public about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.
“Far too many families in our country still face unconscionable prejudice, both as renters and homeowners,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “The Fair Housing Initiatives Program puts money into communities to help them root out discrimination in housing. I am pleased to provide our state and local partners with the resources they need to combat inequity and build a fairer, more inclusive country for all.”
“Access to safe housing is a basic human right, but unfortunately too many renters and homeowners still face discrimination when looking for a place to live,” states Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan’s 6th District. “I am proud to help provide this funding to support The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, and am thankful for the work they do every day to help families find and maintain a home, and make our communities more equitable and inclusive.”
The grants received from HUD are essential to the enforcement and education programs at the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, however, the organization also relies on individual donations to maintain operations.
“Funding from HUD has been instrumental in our 30-year mission to end housing discrimination. As we mark the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act this April we are reminded how far we have come and how much work lies ahead,” said Pamela Kisch, the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan’s Executive Director. “Civil rights advocates past and present fought and continue the fight to uphold and expand fair housing rights. This month the Fair Housing Center is taking donations in honor of those in our community and in our history who have been essential to our efforts to end housing discrimination. I am honoring my mentors Clifford Schrupp and Marvin Thomas, along with John Lewis.”
If you would like to assist the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan in the fight against housing discrimination, click here to make a donation in honor of a civil rights hero this Fair Housing Month or visit fhcmichigan.org/fairhousingmonth/ to see which civil rights heroes have been nominated.
* HUD awarded grants to the Fair Housing Center in the following categories and amounts:
$425,000 allocated to third-year Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) – This initiative funds non-profit fair housing organizations to carry out testing and enforcement activities to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices. This award will allow grantees to continue fair housing investigations, testing, and other fair housing enforcement activities.
$125,000 allocated to a new Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI) – This program offers support for fair housing activities that educate the public and housing providers about equal opportunity in housing and compliance with the fair housing laws.
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The Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan, founded in 1992, actively protects the civil rights of those who are discriminated against in the rental, sale, or financing of housing through investigation, education, advocacy, and legal action. The FHC takes over 200 complaints each year from its 10-county service area – Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw counties.
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.