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Here are the latest announcements by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
HUD search tool for housing counseling agencies upgraded
Date Posted: June 7, 2022
Renters and homebuyers who are looking for assistance from HUD-approved housing counseling agencies now have an easier search to find contact information online.
On Tuesday, HUD announced that its search tool to locate housing counseling agencies nationwide has been updated to make searching easier. Also, a new toll-free automated phone service has been added to obtain contact information for housing counseling agencies.
The updated online search tool is available in English and Spanish.
Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon said:
“Our new housing counseling agency locator tools will help the public access quality housing counseling services, which are a crucial component of HUD’s work to meet the housing needs of our nation’s families. HUD-certified housing counselors can help consumers understand their options for buying their first home, obtaining rental assistance, considering a reverse mortgage, and avoiding eviction or foreclosure.”
More information on the new housing counseling agency search tool can be found here.
HUD enters Consent Order with MD condo business
Date Posted: June 7, 2022
HUD has entered into a Consent Order with a Maryland condominium business to resolve alleged disability discrimination.
HUD’s press release states:
“HUD’s Charge of Discrimination alleged that Scarlett Place Residential Condominium and Brodie Management violated the Fair Housing Act because of disability when they refused to waive their rule limiting occupants to two persons per bedroom to allow a family of eight – one of which was a young child having bone marrow transplant treatment at nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital – to temporarily rent a three-bedroom condominium.”
Demetria L. McCain, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity said:
“It is unconscionable that families caring for children with disabilities could also face housing discrimination…This consent order demonstrates HUD’s commitment to protecting the fair housing rights of families and persons with disabilities.”
More information about this Consent Order can be found here.
Grant awarded to support housing discrimination in PA
Date Posted: June 7, 2022
HUD awarded a $125,000 grant on Tuesday to support The Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia to better respond to housing discrimination complaints.
The HUD press release states that the funding will help the organization expand, so it can respond to the increased volume of complaints.
According to the HUD press release:
“These funds are provided through the Department’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) both to help people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination and to educate housing providers about fair housing laws.”
More information about this funding for fair housing organizations can be found here.