HUD News in Review: January 5, 2022

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Every week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes news about important events within the agency. The following are summaries of news for the week of January 5, 2022:

• HUD Settles with CA Housing Providers Over Discrimination Claims
• HUD Provides Disaster Relief for AR Counties
• HUD Provides Disaster Relief for Boulder County, CO

HUD Settles with CA Housing Providers Over Discrimination Claims 

Date Posted: December 28, 2021

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reached an agreement with housing providers in southern California, over allegations of violations of the Fair Housing Act.

Complaints were filed by HUD’s Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board (IFHMB) that fair housing tests showed on-site managers at properties refusing to rent to limited English proficiency (LEP) persons. The complaints say that LEP prospective tenants were told that they had to provide their own interpreters, and Spanish-speaking prospective tenants were told that they needed to speak English in order to apply.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of national origin.

The “Conciliation/Voluntary Compliance Agreement” was reached with National Community Renaissance, National Community Renaissance of California, Desert Meadows Housing Partners, LP, Victorville Housing Partners L.P., and Cathedral Family Housing Partners, L.P., management agents and owners of four HUD-subsidized apartment complexes in southern California.

Under the agreement, the management agents and owners of the properties will pay $9,000 to IFHMB, submit documentation attesting to completion of fair housing training, and comply with HUD’s LEP Guidelines entitled “Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons.”

In October, 2021, HUD reached a similar agreement with an Arizona housing provider as well as its property manager, resolving allegations that they violated the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when they failed to provide adequate language services for a resident with limited English proficiency (LEP).

People who believe they have experienced discrimination in housing may file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (Relay).

Housing discrimination complaints can be sent to HUD here.

HUD Provides Disaster Relief for AR Counties

Date Posted: January 4, 2022

HUD has announced federal assistance for areas in Arkansas that were affected by severe storms and tornadoes from December 10 and December 11, 2021.

On December 24th, President Biden declared the Arkansas counties of Craighead, Jackson, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Woodruff as major disaster areas. Federal funding provided by FEMA is also available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the disaster areas.

What this means for renters

Effective immediately, HUD is:

• Providing immediate foreclosure relief for families who have Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgages and to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA's Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320. 
• Through HUD’s Section 203(h) program, providing FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes have been destroyed or extensively damaged. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs.
• Through HUD’s 203(k) loan program, making financing or refinancing of a home along with money needed for repairs available in a single mortgage.    
• Working with FEMA and the state of Arkansas by sharing information on housing providers that may have available housing units in the impacted county.
• Providing flexibility for various housing groups including recipients of the Community Development Block Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, the Continuum of Care, Emergency Solutions Grants, HOME Investment Partnership, and Housing Trust Fund programs.
• Providing flexibility to Public Housing Agencies to apply for needed administrative flexibility through disaster waivers.
• Ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist those impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources.

HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination while trying to find housing following a disaster.

More information about these disaster resources can be found here.

HUD Provides Disaster Relief for Boulder County, CO

Date Posted: January 4, 2022

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced federal assistance for areas in Colorado that were affected by straight-line winds and wildfires from December 30 and continuing.

On January 1st, President Biden declared Boulder County, Colorado as a major disaster area.

Federal funding provided by FEMA is also available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the disaster areas.

What this means for renters

Effective immediately, HUD is:

• Providing immediate foreclosure relief for families who have Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgages and to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA's Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320. 
• Through HUD’s Section 203(h) program, providing FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes have been destroyed or extensively damaged. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs.
• Through HUD’s 203(k) loan program, making financing or refinancing of a home along with money needed for repairs available in a single mortgage.
• Working with FEMA and the state of Colorado by sharing information on housing providers that may have available housing units in the impacted county.
• Providing flexibility for various housing groups including recipients of the Community Development Block Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, the Continuum of Care, Emergency Solutions Grants, HOME Investment Partnership, and Housing Trust Fund programs.
• Providing flexibility to Public Housing Agencies to apply for needed administrative flexibility through disaster waivers.
• Ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist those impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources.

HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination while trying to find housing following a disaster.

More information about these disaster resources can be found here.