Agencies receive $1M for fair housing

Advocacy organizations receive two grants each

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, DOhio, this week announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, known as HUD, has awarded four grants totaling $1 million to fair housing advocacy organizations in Painesville and Cleveland.

The funds will be used for enforcement and outreach.

“More than 50 years after Congress passed the Fair Housing Act, access to housing remains unequal,” said Brown, who serves as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

“These funds will help support the Fair Housing Resource Center and the Housing Research and Advocacy Center’s work to protect Ohioans from housing discrimination and to help victims of discrimination seek justice.”

Fair Housing Resource Center, Inc. in Painesville will receive two grants:

• $125,000 to conduct education and outreach efforts on the importance of fair housing in the surrounding counties of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula

• $375,000 to conduct a comprehensive enforcement effort in the surrounding counties of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula

Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research in Cleveland will receive two grants:

• $125,000 to conduct education and outreach efforts on the importance of fair housing in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties

• $375,000 to conduct fair housing investigations and training in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties

The Fair Housing Initiatives Program funds fair housing organizations and other nonprofits that assist individuals who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination.

Fair Housing Resource Center Executive Director Patricia Kidd said the grants will have a great impact.